WESTERN RESOURCES INC /KS
10-K/A, 1998-03-30
ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED
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                                UNITED STATES
                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                  FORM 10-K/A
      [X]      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                   For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997

      [ ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                          Commission file number 1-3523

                               WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         KANSAS                                                48-0290150
(State or other jurisdiction of                           (I.R.S.  Employer
 incorporation or organization)                           Identification No.)

    818 KANSAS AVENUE, TOPEKA, KANSAS                             66612
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                        (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code 785/575-6300

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, $5.00 par value                 New York Stock Exchange
   (Title of each class)            (Name of each exchange on which registered)

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                Preferred Stock, 4 1/2% Series, $100 par value
                               (Title of Class)

Indicated by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes   x     No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. (x)

State the aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  nonaffiliates  of
the registrant.  Approximately $2,763,555,727 of Common Stock and $13,682,460 of
Preferred Stock  (excluding the 4 1/4% Series of Preferred Stock for which there
is no readily ascertainable market value) at March 27,1997.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common stock.

Common Stock, $5.00 par value                             65,409,603
- -----------------------------                  ---------------------
         (Class)                               (Outstanding at March 30, 1998)

                         Documents Incorporated by Reference:
     Part                              Document

     III      Items 10-13 of the Company's  Definitive  Proxy  Statement for the
              Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 11, 1998.

                                                         1

<PAGE>



                                              WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                                                    FORM 10-K/A
                                                 December 31, 1997

                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Description                                                        Page

PART I
      Item 1.  Business                                                    3

      Item 2.  Properties                                                 22

      Item 3.  Legal Proceedings                                          23

      Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of
                 Security Holders                                         24

PART II
      Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and
                 Related Stockholder Matters                              24

      Item 6.  Selected Financial Data                                    25

      Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                 Financial Condition and Results of
                 Operations                                               26

      Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
                 About Market Risk                                        41

      Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                42

      Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
                 on Accounting and Financial Disclosure                   74

PART III
      Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the
                 Registrant                                               74

      Item 11. Executive Compensation                                     74

      Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
                 Owners and Management                                    74

      Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions             74

PART IV
      Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and
                 Reports on Form 8-K                                      75

      Signatures                                                          76





                                                         2

<PAGE>





                                                      PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS


GENERAL

      The company is a publicly  traded holding  company,  incorporated in 1924.
The company's  primary business  activities are providing  electric  generation,
transmission and distribution  services to  approximately  614,000  customers in
Kansas;  providing security alarm monitoring  services to approximately  950,000
customers   located   throughout  the  United  States,   providing  natural  gas
transmission and distribution services to approximately 1.4 million customers in
Oklahoma and Kansas through its ownership of a 45% equity interest in ONEOK Inc.
(ONEOK) and investing in international  power projects.  Rate regulated electric
service  is  provided  by KPL,  a  division  of the  company  and Kansas Gas and
Electric  Company  (KGE),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary.  Security  services  are
provided  by  Protection  One,  Inc.   (Protection   One),  a   publicly-traded,
approximately  82.4%-  owned  subsidiary.  KGE  owns 47% of Wolf  Creek  Nuclear
Operating  Corporation  (WCNOC), the operating company for Wolf Creek Generating
Station (Wolf Creek).  Corporate  headquarters  of the company is located at 818
Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66612. At December 31, 1997, the company had 2,412
employees.

      On February 7, 1997,  the company  signed a merger  agreement  with Kansas
City Power & Light  Company  (KCPL) by which KCPL would be merged  with and into
the company in exchange for company stock. In December 1997,  representatives of
the company's  financial  advisor  indicated  that they believed it was unlikely
that they would be in a position to issue a fairness  opinion  required  for the
merger on the basis of the previously announced terms.

      On March 18, 1998, the company and KCPL announced a restructuring of their
February 7, 1997,  merger agreement which will result in the formation of Westar
Energy, a new electric  company.  Under the terms of the merger  agreement,  the
electric utility  operations of the company will be transferred to KGE, and KCPL
and KGE will be merged into NKC,  Inc., a subsidiary  of the company.  NKC, Inc.
will be  renamed  Westar  Energy.  In  addition,  under the terms of the  merger
agreement, KCPL shareowners will receive $23.50 of company common stock per KCPL
share,  subject to a collar  mechanism,  and one share of Westar  Energy  common
stock per KCPL share. Upon consummation of the combination, the company will own
approximately  80.1%  of the  outstanding  equity  of  Westar  Energy  and  KCPL
shareowners will own  approximately  19.9%. As part of the  combination,  Westar
Energy will assume all of the electric utility related assets and liabilities of
the company, KCPL and KGE.

      Westar Energy will assume $2.7 billion in debt, consisting of $1.9 billion
of  indebtedness  for borrowed money of the company and KGE, and $800 million of
debt of KCPL.  Long-term  debt of Western  Resources and KGE was $2.1 billion at
December 31, 1997. Under the terms of the merger agreement,  it is intended that
the company will be released from its obligations  with respect to the company's
debt to be assumed by Westar Energy.

                                                         3

<PAGE>



      Pursuant to the merger  agreement,  the  company  has agreed,  among other
things,  to call for  redemption  all  outstanding  shares of its 4 1/2%  Series
Preferred  Stock,  par value $100 per share, 4 1/4% Series  Preferred Stock, par
value $100 per share, and 5% Series Preferred Stock, par value $100 per share.

       Consummation of the merger is subject to customary  conditions  including
obtaining  the  approval of the  company's  and KCPL's  shareowners  and various
regulatory agencies. The company estimates the transaction to close by mid-1999,
subject to receipt of all necessary approvals.

      KCPL is a public utility company engaged in the generation,  transmission,
distribution,  and sale of  electricity  to  customers  in western  Missouri and
eastern  Kansas.  The  company,  KCPL and KGE have  joint  interests  in certain
electric  generating assets,  including Wolf Creek. For additional  information,
see  "Financing"  below,  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial
Condition  and  Results  of  Operations"  and Note 5 of "Notes  to  Consolidated
Financial Statements".

      On December 12, 1996, the company and ONEOK announced an agreement to form
a strategic  alliance  combining  the natural gas assets of both  companies.  In
November  1997,  the company  completed its strategic  alliance with ONEOK.  The
company contributed substantially all of its regulated and non-regulated natural
gas business to ONEOK in exchange  for a 45%  ownership  interest in ONEOK.  The
company will  account for its common  ownership  in  accordance  with the equity
method of accounting. Subsequent to the formation of the strategic alliance, the
consolidated energy sales,  related cost of sales and operating expenses for the
company's  natural gas business were  replaced by investment  earnings in ONEOK.
The related assets and liabilities  were removed from the  Consolidated  Balance
Sheets at November 30, 1997.

      During 1996, the company acquired 27% of the common shares of ADT Limited,
Inc.  (ADT) and made an offer to acquire the  remaining ADT common  shares.  ADT
rejected this offer and in July 1997,  ADT merged with Tyco  International  Ltd.
(Tyco).  ADT and Tyco completed  their merger by exchanging ADT common stock for
Tyco common  stock.  Following  the ADT and Tyco merger,  the  company's  equity
investment  in ADT  became  an  available-for-sale  security.  During  the third
quarter of 1997, the company sold its Tyco common shares for approximately  $1.5
billion.

      On December 30, 1996, the company purchased the assets and assumed certain
liabilities  comprising  Westinghouse  Security Systems,  Inc. (WSS), a security
alarm monitoring  company,  for approximately  $358 million.  The net assets and
operations of WSS were contributed to Protection One in November,  1997 when the
company acquired its equity interest in Protection One.

      In 1997 the company acquired three monitored security alarm companies. The
company   acquired   Network   Multi-Family    Security   Corporation   (Network
Multi-Family)  in  September  1997 for  approximately  $171 million and acquired
Centennial  Holdings,  Inc.  (Centennial) in November 1997 for approximately $94
million.  The company also  acquired an  approximate  82.4%  equity  interest in
Protection One, a publicly traded security alarm monitoring company, in November
1997. The company  contributed all of its existing security business net assets,
other than  Network  Multi-Family,  in exchange  for its  ownership  interest in
Protection One.

                                                         4

<PAGE>



      In February 1998, Protection One exercised its option to acquire the stock
of Network Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Network Multi-Family,  from the
company for approximately $180 million.

      In March 1998,  Protection  One  acquired the  security  alarm  monitoring
business  of  Multimedia  Security  Services,  Inc.  (Multimedia  Security)  for
approximately  $233  million.  Multimedia  Security  has  approximately  140,000
subscribers concentrated primarily in California,  Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma and
Texas.  Protection One borrowed money from Westar  Capital,  a subsidiary of the
company,
to complete this transaction.

                                                         5

<PAGE>



      In February 1996,  the company  purchased The Wing Group Limited (The Wing
Group).  The Wing  Group is a  wholly-owned  developer  of  international  power
projects.

      On July 1,  1995,  the  company  established  Midcontinent  Market  Center
(Market  Center)  which  provided  natural  gas  transportation,   storage,  and
gathering  services,  as well as balancing and title  transfer  capability.  The
company  contributed  certain natural gas transmission  assets having a net book
value of  approximately  $50  million to the Market  Center.  The Market  Center
provided  no notice  natural  gas  transportation  and  storage  services to the
company  under a  long-term  contract.  The  assets of the  Market  Center  were
transferred  to ONEOK in November  1997,  upon the  completion  of the strategic
alliance with ONEOK.

      On January 31, 1994,  the company sold  substantially  all of its Missouri
natural gas  distribution  properties  and  operations to Southern Union Company
(Southern  Union) for $404  million.  The company  sold the  remaining  Missouri
properties to United Cities Gas Company (United Cities) for $665,000 on February
28, 1994. The  properties  sold to Southern Union and United Cities are referred
to herein as the "Missouri  Properties." As of the respective dates of the sales
of the  Missouri  Properties,  the  company  ceased  recording  the  results  of
operations, and removed the assets and liabilities from the Consolidated Balance
Sheets related to the Missouri Properties.

      The United States electric  utility  industry is evolving from a regulated
monopolistic  market to a  competitive  marketplace.  The 1992 Energy Policy Act
began deregulating the electricity industry. The Energy Policy Act permitted the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to order electric utilities to allow
third parties the use of their  transmission  systems to sell electric  power to
wholesale  customers.   A  wholesale  sale  is  defined  as  a  utility  selling
electricity to a "middleman",  usually a city or its utility company,  to resell
to the ultimate retail  customer.  As part of the 1992 KGE merger,  we agreed to
open access of our  transmission  system for wholesale  transactions.  FERC also
requires us to provide transmission services to others under terms comparable to
those we provide to ourselves.

      For further discussion regarding competition and the potential impact on
the company, see Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.


ELECTRIC OPERATIONS

General

      The company supplies  electric energy at retail to  approximately  614,000
customers in 462 communities in Kansas. These include Wichita, Topeka, Lawrence,
Manhattan,  Salina, and Hutchinson. The company also supplies electric energy at
wholesale to the electric  distribution  systems of 67  communities  and 5 rural
electric  cooperatives.  The company  has  contracts  for the sale,  purchase or
exchange  of  electricity  with other  utilities.  The company  also  receives a
limited amount of electricity through parallel generation.

                                                         6

<PAGE>



      The company's electric sales for the last five years were as follows:

                         1997       1996       1995       1994       1993
                        ------     ------     ------     ------     -----
                               (Thousands of MWH)
  Residential. . . .     5,310      5,265      5,088      5,003      4,960
  Commercial . . . .     5,803      5,667      5,453      5,368      5,100
  Industrial . . . .     5,714      5,622      5,619      5,410      5,301
  Wholesale and
    Interchange. . .     5,334      5,908      4,012      3,899      4,525
  Other. . . . . . .       107        105        108        106        103
                        ------     ------     ------     ------     ------
    Total. . . . . .    22,268     22,567     20,280     19,786     19,989

      The company's electric revenues for the last five years were as follows:

                     1997(1)      1996        1995        1994        1993
                   ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -------
                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
  Residential      $  392,751  $  403,588  $  396,025  $  388,271  $  384,618
  Commercial          339,167     351,806     340,819     334,059     319,686
  Industrial          254,076     262,989     268,947     265,838     261,898
  Wholesale and
    Interchange       142,506     143,380     104,992     106,243     118,401
  Other               101,493      35,670      35,112      27,370      19,934
                   ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total          $1,229,993  $1,197,433  $1,145,895  $1,121,781  $1,104,537

  (1) The increase in 1997 other  electric  revenues  reflects  power  marketing
      revenues.  See Item 7.  Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial
      Condition  and  Results of  Operations  for  further  discussion  of power
      marketing.

Capacity

      The aggregate net generating capacity of the company's system is presently
5,319 megawatts (MW). The system  comprises  interests in 22 fossil fueled steam
generating units, one nuclear  generating unit (47% interest),  seven combustion
peaking  turbines  and  two  diesel  generators  located  at  eleven  generating
stations.  Two  units  of the 22  fossil  fueled  units  (aggregating  100 MW of
capacity) have been "mothballed" for future use (See Item 2. Properties).

      The  company's  1997  peak  system  net load  occurred  July 24,  1997 and
amounted to 4,016 MW. The company's net generating  capacity together with power
available  from firm  interchange  and purchase  contracts,  provided a capacity
margin of approximately 18% above system peak  responsibility at the time of the
peak.

      The  company and twelve  companies  in Kansas and  western  Missouri  have
agreed to provide capacity  (including  margin),  emergency and economy services
for each  other.  This  arrangement  is called the MOKAN  Power  Pool.  The pool
participants   also   coordinate   the  planning  of  electric   generating  and
transmission facilities.

      The company is one of 54 members of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP).  SPP's
responsibility is to maintain system reliability on a regional basis. The region
encompasses  areas within the eight states of Kansas,  Missouri,  Oklahoma,  New
Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

      The company is a member of the Western  Systems  Power Pool (WSPP).  Under
this  arrangement,  over 172 electric  utilities  and marketers  throughout  the
western  United States have agreed to market energy and to provide  transmission
services.

                                                         7

<PAGE>



WSPP's intent is to increase the efficiency of the interconnected  power systems
operations  over and  above  existing  operations.  Services  available  include
short-term and long-term economy energy  transactions,  unit commitment service,
firm capacity and energy sales,  energy exchanges,  and transmission  service by
intermediate systems.

      The company has an  agreement  with  Oklahoma  Municipal  Power  Authority
(OMPA),  whereby, the company received a prepayment in 1994 of approximately $41
million for capacity (42 MW) and transmission charges through the year 2013.

      KGE has an agreement with Midwest  Energy,  Inc.  (MWE),  whereby KGE will
provide  MWE with  peaking  capacity  of 61 MW through  the year 2008.  KGE also
entered  into an  agreement  with Empire  District  Electric  Company  (Empire),
whereby KGE will provide  Empire with  peaking and base load  capacity (20 MW in
1994 increasing to 80 MW in 2000) through the year 2000. The company has another
agreement with Empire,  whereby the company will provide Empire with peaking and
base load capacity (10 MW in 1995 increasing to 162 MW in 2000) through the year
2010.

Future Capacity

      The  company  does  not  contemplate   any  significant   expenditures  in
connection  with  construction of any major  generating  facilities for the next
five years.  (See Item 7.  Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial
Condition and Results of Operations).

Fuel Mix

      The company's  coal-fired units comprise 3,311 MW of the total 5,319 MW of
generating  capacity and the company's nuclear unit provides 547 MW of capacity.
Of the  remaining  1,461 MW of generating  capacity,  units that can burn either
natural gas or oil account for 1,377 MW, and the remaining units which burn only
diesel fuel account for 84 MW (See Item 2. Properties).

      During  1997,  low sulfur  coal was used to produce  78% of the  company's
electricity.  Nuclear  produced 17% and the  remainder was produced from natural
gas, oil, or diesel fuel.  During 1998,  based on the company's  estimate of the
availability  of fuel,  coal will be used to  produce  approximately  77% of the
company's electricity and nuclear will be used to produce approximately 18%.

      The company's  fuel mix fluctuates  with the operation of nuclear  powered
Wolf  Creek  which has an  18-month  refueling  and  maintenance  schedule.  The
18-month  schedule  permits  uninterrupted  operation every third calendar year.
Wolf Creek was taken  off-line  on October 4, 1997 for its ninth  refueling  and
maintenance outage which lasted approximately 58 days during which time electric
demand was met primarily by the company's coal-fired generating units.

Nuclear

      The  owners of Wolf  Creek  have on hand or under  contract  100% of their
uranium  needs for 1998 and 59% of the uranium  required  to operate  Wolf Creek
through  September  2003.  The balance is expected to be obtained  through  spot
market and contract  purchases.  The company has three active contracts with the
following companies for uranium: Cameco Corporation,  Geomex Minerals, Inc., and
Power Resources, Inc.


                                                         8

<PAGE>



      A  contractual  arrangement  is in place with Cameco  Corporation  for the
conversion of uranium to uranium  hexafluoride  sufficient  for the operation of
Wolf Creek through the year 2001.

      The company has two active contracts for uranium  enrichment  performed by
Urenco  and USEC.  Contracted  arrangements  cover 80% of Wolf  Creek's  uranium
enrichment  requirements  for operation of Wolf Creek  through  March 2005.  The
balance is  expected  to be  obtained  through  spot  market  and term  contract
purchases.

      The company has entered into all of its uranium,  uranium hexaflouride and
uranium  enrichment  arrangements  during the ordinary course of business and is
not substantially  dependent upon these  agreements.  The company believes there
are other  suppliers  available at reasonable  prices to replace,  if necessary,
these  contracts.  In the event that the company were  required to replace these
contracts, it would not anticipate a substantial disruption of its business.

      Nuclear  fuel is  amortized to cost of sales based on the quantity of heat
produced for the generation of  electricity.  Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act
of 1982,  the  Department  of  Energy  (DOE) is  responsible  for the  permanent
disposal of spent  nuclear  fuel.  The company  pays the DOE a quarterly  fee of
one-tenth of a cent for each kilowatt-hour of net nuclear  generation  delivered
and sold for future  disposal of spent nuclear fuel.  These  disposal  costs are
charged to cost of sales and currently recovered through rates.

      In 1996, a U.S.  Court of Appeals issued a decision that the Nuclear Waste
Act unconditionally obligated the DOE to begin accepting spent fuel for disposal
in 1998. In late 1997, the same court issued another decision precluding the DOE
from concluding that its delay in accepting  spent fuel is  "unavoidable"  under
its contracts  with  utilities  due to lack of a repository  or interim  storage
authority.  By the end of 1997,  KGE and other  utilities had petitioned the DOE
for authority to suspend payments of their quarterly fees until such time as the
DOE begins accepting spent fuel. In January 1998, the DOE denied the petition of
the utilities. The company is considering its response to the DOE's action.

      A permanent disposal site may not be available for the industry until 2010
or later,  although an interim facility may be available earlier.  Under current
DOE  policy,  once a permanent  site is  available,  the DOE will  accept  spent
nuclear  fuel on a priority  basis;  the owners of the oldest spent fuel will be
given the highest  priority.  As a result,  disposal services for Wolf Creek may
not be available  prior to 2016.  Wolf Creek has on-site  temporary  storage for
spent  nuclear  fuel.  Under current  regulatory  guidelines,  this facility can
provide storage space until about 2005. Wolf Creek has started plans to increase
its on-site spent fuel storage capacity. That project,  expected to be completed
by 2000,  should  provide  storage  capacity  for all spent fuel  expected to be
generated by Wolf Creek through the end of its licensed life in 2025.

      The Low-Level  Radioactive  Waste Policy  Amendments  Act of 1985 mandated
that the various states,  individually or through interstate  compacts,  develop
alternative  low-level  radioactive  waste  disposal  facilities.  The states of
Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma formed the Central Interstate
Low-Level  Radioactive Waste Compact and selected a site in northern Nebraska to
locate a disposal facility. The present estimate of the cost for such a facility
is about $154  million.  WCNOC and the owners of the other five nuclear units in
the  compact  have  provided  most of the  pre-construction  financing  for this
project.

                                                         9

<PAGE>




      There  is  uncertainty  as to  whether  this  project  will be  completed.
Significant  opposition to the project has been raised by Nebraska officials and
residents in the area of the  proposed  facility,  and  attempts  have been made
through  litigation  and proposed  legislation  in Nebraska to slow down or stop
development of the facility.

      Additional  information with respect to insurance  coverage  applicable to
the operations of the company's nuclear generating facility is set forth in Note
7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Coal

      The  three  coal-fired  units  at  Jeffrey  Energy  Center  (JEC)  have an
aggregate  capacity of 1,839 MW (company's 84% share) (See Item 2.  Properties).
The company  has a long-term  coal  supply  contract  with Amax Coal West,  Inc.
(AMAX),  a subsidiary of Cyprus Amax Coal Company,  to supply low sulfur coal to
JEC from AMAX's Eagle Butte Mine or an alternate mine source of AMAX's Belle Ayr
Mine, both located in the Powder River Basin in Campbell  County,  Wyoming.  The
contract expires December 31, 2020. The contract  contains a schedule of minimum
annual delivery quantities based on MMBtu provisions. The coal to be supplied is
surface  mined and has an average  Btu  content of  approximately  8,300 Btu per
pound  and an  average  sulfur  content  of  .43  lbs/MMBtu  (See  Environmental
Matters). The average delivered cost of coal for JEC was approximately $1.13 per
MMBtu or $18.92 per ton during 1997.

      Coal is  transported  from Wyoming under a long-term  rail  transportation
contract  with  Burlington  Northern  Santa Fe  (BNSF)  and Union  Pacific  (UP)
railroads to JEC through December 31, 2013. Rates are based on net load carrying
capabilities  of each rail car. The company  provides  868  aluminum  rail cars,
under a 20 year lease, to transport coal to JEC.

      The two coal-fired units at La Cygne Station have an aggregate  generating
capacity of 677 MW (KGE's 50% share)  (See Item 2.  Properties).  The  operator,
KCPL, maintains coal contracts as summarized in the following paragraphs.

      La Cygne 1 uses low sulfur Powder River Basin coal which is supplied under
a variety of spot market transactions, discussed below. High Btu Kansas/Missouri
coal is blended  with the Powder  River  Basin coal and is secured  from time to
time  under  spot  market  arrangements.  La  Cygne 1 uses a  blended  fuel  mix
containing approximately 85% Powder River Basin coal.

      La Cygne 2 and  additional  La Cygne 1 Powder River Basin coal is supplied
through  several  contracts,  expiring at various times  through 1999.  This low
sulfur coal had an average Btu content of approximately  8,500 Btu per pound and
a  maximum  sulfur  content  of  .50  lbs/MMBtu  (See  Environmental   Matters).
Transportation  is covered  by KCPL  through  its  Omnibus  Rail  Transportation
Agreement with BNSF and Kansas City Southern Railroad through December 31, 2000.

      During  1997,  the average  delivered  cost of all local and Powder  River
Basin coal procured for La Cygne 1 was  approximately  $0.70 per MMBtu or $12.31
per ton and the average delivered cost of Powder River Basin coal for La Cygne 2
was approximately $0.67 per MMBtu or $11.32 per ton.

      The coal-fired units located at the Tecumseh and Lawrence Energy Centers
have an aggregate generating capacity of 795 MW (See Item 2. Properties).  The
company contracted with Cyprus Amax Coal Company's Foidel Creek Mine located in
Routt

                                                        10

<PAGE>



County,  Colorado  for low sulfur coal through  December 31, 1998.  This coal is
transported  by  Union  Pacific  and BNSF  railroads  under  contracts  expiring
December 31, 1998. The company anticipates that the Cyprus agreement will supply
the  minimum  requirements  of the  Tecumseh  and  Lawrence  Energy  Centers and
supplemental coal requirements will continue to be supplied from coal markets in
Montana,  Wyoming,  Utah,  Colorado and/or New Mexico.  The company is currently
seeking coal supply through 2000 to replace the expiring  Cyprus coal agreement.
Additional  spot  market  coal for 1998 has been  secured  from  Kennecott  Coal
Company with rail  transportation  supplied by BNSF  railroad.  During 1997, the
average  delivered cost of coal for the Lawrence units was  approximately  $1.24
per  MMBtu or  $26.89  per ton and the  average  delivered  cost of coal for the
Tecumseh  units was  approximately  $1.24 per MMBtu or $26.76 per ton.  The coal
supplied  in 1997 had an average  Btu  content of  approximately  10,842 Btu per
pound  and an  average  sulfur  content  of  .42  lbs/MMBtu  (See  Environmental
Matters).

      The company has entered into all of its coal contracts during the ordinary
course of business and is not substantially dependent upon these contracts.  The
company  believes  there are other  suppliers for and plentiful  sources of coal
available at reasonable  prices to replace,  if  necessary,  fuel to be supplied
pursuant  to these  contracts.  In the event that the company  were  required to
replace its coal agreements, it would not anticipate a substantial disruption of
the company's business.

      The company has entered into all of its  transportation  contracts  during
the ordinary course of business.  At the time of entering into these  contracts,
the company was not  substantially  dependent  upon these  contracts  due to the
availability  of  competitive  rail options.  Due to recent rail  consolidation,
there are now only two rail  carriers  capable of serving the  company's  origin
coal  mines and its  generating  stations.  In the  event one of these  carriers
became  unable to provide  reliable  service,  the company  could  experience  a
short-term  disruption of its business.  However,  due to the  obligation of the
remaining  carriers to provide  service under the  Interstate  Commerce Act, the
company  does  not  anticipate  any  substantial  long-term  disruption  of  its
business.  See also Item 7.  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.

Natural Gas

      The company uses natural gas as a primary fuel in its Gordon Evans, Murray
Gill, Abilene, and Hutchinson Energy Centers and in the gas turbine units at its
Tecumseh generating station.  Natural gas is also used as a supplemental fuel in
the coal-fired units at the Lawrence and Tecumseh generating  stations.  Natural
gas for all facilities is supplied by readily  available gas from the short-term
economical spot market and will supply the system with the flexible  natural gas
supply to meet operational needs.

Oil

      The  company  uses  oil as an  alternate  fuel  when  economical  or  when
interruptions  to  natural  gas  make  it  necessary.  Oil  is  also  used  as a
supplemental fuel at JEC and La Cygne generating stations. All oil burned by the
company  during  the  past  several  years  has  been  obtained  by spot  market
purchases. At December 31, 1997, the company had approximately 3 million gallons
of No. 2 oil and 17  million  gallons  of No.  6 oil  which  it  believes  to be
sufficient  to  meet  emergency   requirements   and  protect  against  lack  of
availability of natural gas and/or the loss of a large generating unit.


                                                        11

<PAGE>



Other Fuel Matters

      The company's  contracts to supply fuel for its coal and natural gas-fired
generating  units,  with  the  exception  of  JEC,  do  not  provide  full  fuel
requirements at the various stations.  Supplemental fuel is procured on the spot
market to provide operational  flexibility and, when the price is favorable,  to
take advantage of economic opportunities.

      Set forth in the  table  below is  information  relating  to the  weighted
average cost of fuel used by the company.

   KPL Plants                    1997     1996     1995     1994     1993
   ----------                   -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
    Per Million Btu:
          Coal . . . . . . . .  $1.17    $1.14    $1.15    $1.13    $1.13
          Gas. . . . . . . . .   2.88     2.50     1.63     2.66     2.71
          Oil. . . . . . . . .   3.72     4.01     4.34     4.27     4.41

    Cents per KWH Generation .   1.32     1.30     1.31     1.32     1.31


   KGE Plants                    1997     1996     1995     1994     1993
   ----------                   -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
    Per Million Btu:
          Nuclear. . . . . . .  $0.51    $0.50    $0.40    $0.36    $0.35
          Coal . . . . . . . .   0.89     0.88     0.91     0.90     0.96
          Gas. . . . . . . . .   2.56     2.30     1.68     1.98     2.37
          Oil. . . . . . . . .   3.32     2.74     4.00     3.90     3.15

    Cents per KWH Generation .   1.00     0.93     0.82     0.89     0.93

Environmental Matters

      The company currently holds all Federal and State environmental  approvals
required for the operation of its generating  units.  The company believes it is
presently in substantial  compliance with all air quality regulations (including
those  pertaining to  particulate  matter,  sulfur  dioxide and nitrogen  oxides
(NOx))  promulgated  by the State of  Kansas  and the  Environmental  Protection
Agency (EPA).

      The Federal sulfur dioxide standards,  applicable to the company's JEC and
La Cygne 2 units,  prohibit  the  emission  of more  than 1.2  pounds  of sulfur
dioxide  per  million Btu of heat input.  Federal  particulate  matter  emission
standards applicable to these units prohibit:  (1) the emission of more than 0.1
pounds of  particulate  matter per  million Btu of heat input and (2) an opacity
greater  than 20%.  Federal NOx  emission  standards  applicable  to these units
prohibit  the  emission  of more than 0.7 pounds of NOx per  million Btu of heat
input.

      The JEC and La Cygne 2 units have met:  (1) the sulfur  dioxide  standards
through  the use of low  sulfur  coal (See  Coal);  (2) the  particulate  matter
standards  through  the  use of  electrostatic  precipitators;  and  (3) the NOx
standards through boiler design and operating procedures. The JEC units are also
equipped  with  flue gas  scrubbers  providing  additional  sulfur  dioxide  and
particulate  matter  emission  reduction  capability  when needed to meet permit
limits.

      The  Kansas  Department  of Health  and  Environment  (KDHE)  regulations,
applicable to the company's other generating  facilities,  prohibit the emission
of more than 2.5 pounds of sulfur  dioxide  per million Btu of heat input at two
of the  company's  Lawrence  generating  units  and  3.0  pounds  at  all  other
generating

                                                        12

<PAGE>



units.  There is sufficient  low sulfur coal under  contract (See Coal) to allow
compliance with such limits at Lawrence, Tecumseh and La Cygne 1 for the life of
the contracts.  All facilities burning coal are equipped with flue gas scrubbers
and/or electrostatic precipitators.

      The  company  must  comply  with  the  provisions  of The  Clean  Air  Act
Amendments of 1990 that require a two-phase reduction in certain emissions.  The
company has installed continuous  monitoring and reporting equipment to meet the
acid  rain   requirements.   The  company  does  not  expect  material   capital
expenditures  to be required to meet Phase II sulfur  dioxide and nitrogen oxide
requirements.

      All of the company's generating  facilities are in substantial  compliance
with the Best Practicable  Technology and Best Available Technology  regulations
issued by the EPA pursuant to the Clean Water Act of 1977.  Most EPA regulations
are administered in Kansas by the KDHE.

      Additional  information with respect to Environmental Matters is discussed
in Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.


NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS

General

      Under the  agreement for the  strategic  alliance with ONEOK,  the company
contributed  substantially  all of its natural gas business to ONEOK on November
30, 1997, in exchange for a 45% equity interest.  See Note 4 of the Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

      ONEOK  is  a  diversified   energy  company  engaged  in  the  production,
gathering,  storage,  transportation,  distribution and marketing of natural gas
and natural gas products. ONEOK's regulated business operations provides natural
gas distribution and transmission in Oklahoma and Kansas.  ONEOK's  nonregulated
business   operations   include  natural  gas  marketing,   gas  processing  and
production.

      The  company's  natural gas  operations  prior to November 30, 1997,  were
comprised  primarily  of the  following  four  components:  a local  natural gas
distribution  division which was subject to  rate-regulation;  Market Center,  a
Kansas  subsidiary  of the company that  engaged  primarily  in  intrastate  gas
transmission,  as well as gas wheeling, parking, balancing and storage services,
and was also subject to rate-regulation; Westar Gas Marketing, Inc., (Westar Gas
Marketing) a Kansas  non-regulated  indirect  subsidiary of the company that was
engaged primarily in marketing and selling natural gas to small and medium-sized
commercial  and  industrial  customers;  and  Westar  Gas  Company,  a  Delaware
non-regulated subsidiary of Westar Gas Marketing that was engaged in extracting,
processing and selling natural gas liquids.

      During,  1997, the company supplied natural gas at retail to approximately
652,000  customers in 362 communities and at wholesale to eight  communities and
two  utilities  in Kansas and  Oklahoma.  The natural gas systems of the company
consisted of  distribution  systems in both states  purchasing  natural gas from
various suppliers and transported by interstate  pipeline companies and the main
system, an integrated storage, gathering,  transmission and distribution system.
The  company  also  transported  gas for its  large  commercial  and  industrial
customers  which   purchased  gas  on  the  spot  market.   The  company  earned
approximately  the same  margin on the volume of gas  transported  as on volumes
sold except where discounting occurred in order to retain the customer's load.

                                                        13

<PAGE>



      On January 31, 1994,  the company sold  substantially  all of its Missouri
natural gas  distribution  properties  and operations to Southern Union and sold
the remaining Missouri Properties to United Cities on February 28, 1994.

      The percentage of total natural gas deliveries,  including  transportation
and operating  revenues for 1997 (through  November 30, 1997),  by state were as
follows:

                          Total Natural           Total Natural Gas
                          Gas Deliveries          Operating Revenues
          Kansas             96.8%                     95.2%
          Oklahoma            3.2%                      4.8%

      The  company's  natural  gas  deliveries  for the last five  years were as
follows:

                      1997(1)     1996       1995       1994(3)     1993
                     -------    -------    -------     -------    ------
                                       (Thousands of MCF)
    Residential       47,602     62,728     55,810      64,804    110,045
    Commercial        16,968     22,841     21,245      26,526     47,536
    Industrial           296        450        548         605      1,490
    Other             26,448     21,067     17,078(2)       43         41
    Transportation    41,635     45,947     48,292      51,059     73,574
                     -------    -------    -------     -------    -------
      Total          132,949    153,033    142,973     143,037    232,686

      The company's natural gas revenues related to deliveries for the last five
years were as follows:

                      1997(1)     1996        1995      1994(3)     1993
                     -------    --------   ---------   --------   ------
                                   (Dollars in Thousands)
    Residential      $312,665   $352,905    $274,550   $332,348   $529,260
    Commercial        100,394    120,927      94,349    125,570    209,344
    Industrial          1,632      2,885       3,051      3,472      7,294
    Other              63,608     48,643      31,860     11,544     30,143
    Transportation     22,552     23,354      22,366     23,228     28,781
                     --------   --------    --------   --------   --------
      Total          $500,851   $548,714    $426,176   $496,162   $804,822

     (1) The decrease in gas deliveries and revenues  reflects the  contribution
         of the company's natural gas business to ONEOK on November 30, 1997.

     (2) The  increase  in  other  gas   deliveries   reflects  an  increase  in
         as-available gas sales.

     (3) Information  reflects  the sales of the Missouri  Properties  effective
         January 31, and February 28, 1994.

      As-available gas is excess natural gas under contract that the company did
not  require  for  customer  sales  or  storage  that is  typically  sold to gas
marketers.  According  to the  company's  tariff,  the  nominal  margin  made on
as-available  gas sales is  returned  75% to  customers  through the cost of gas
rider and 25% is reflected in wholesale revenues of the company.

Interstate System

      The company  distributed  natural gas at retail to  approximately  520,000
customers located in central and eastern Kansas and northeastern  Oklahoma.  The
largest cities served in 1997 were Wichita and Topeka,  Kansas and Bartlesville,
Oklahoma. The company had transportation agreements for delivery of this gas

                                                        14

<PAGE>



with  terms  varying  in length  from one to twenty  years,  with the  following
non-affiliated pipeline transmission  companies:  Williams Natural Gas Pipelines
Central (WNG),  Kansas Pipeline  Partnership  (KPP),  Panhandle Eastern Pipeline
Company  (Panhandle),  and  various  other  intrastate  suppliers.  The  volumes
transported under these agreements in for the past three years were as follows:

                     Transportation Volumes (BCF's)

                                   1997(1)     1996     1995
                                   ------      ----     ----
               WNG. . . . . . .     74.1       79.4     61.8
               KPP. . . . . . .      5.2        7.3      7.1
               Panhandle. . . .      1.1        1.2      1.0
               Others . . . . .      0.8        2.1      8.0

    (1) Information  reflects  the  contribution  of the  company's  natural gas
        business to ONEOK on November 30, 1997.

      The company  purchased this gas from various producers and marketers under
contracts  expiring at various times. The company purchased  approximately  71.5
BCF or 88.1% of its natural  gas supply from these  sources in 1997 and 78.4 BCF
or 91.9% during 1996.

      In October 1994,  the company  executed a long-term gas purchase  contract
(Base Contract) and a peaking supply contract with Amoco Production  Company for
the purpose of meeting at least 50% of the  requirements of the customers served
from the company's interstate system over the WNG pipeline system.

      The company also purchased  natural gas from KPP under contracts  expiring
at various  times.  These  purchases were  approximately  3.3 BCF or 4.1% of its
natural  gas  supply  in  1997  and 5.2 BCF or 5.8%  during  1996.  The  company
purchased  natural gas for the interstate  system from intrastate  pipelines and
from spot market suppliers under short-term contracts. These sources totaled 5.6
BCF and 0.6 BCF for  1997  and 1996  representing  6.8%  and 0.7% of the  system
requirements, respectively.

      During  1997 and 1996,  approximately  0.8 BCF and 1.5 BCF,  respectively,
were transferred from the company's main system to serve a portion of the demand
for the  interstate  system  representing  1.0% and 1.6%,  respectively,  of the
interstate system supply.

      The average wholesale cost per thousand cubic feet (MCF) purchased for the
distribution systems for the past five years were as follows:

                            Interstate Pipeline Supply
                              (Average Cost per MCF)

                                1997      1996      1995      1994      1993
                               -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
       WNG . . . . . . . . .   $ -       $ -       $ -       $ -       $3.57
       Other . . . . . . . .    3.65      3.09      2.78      3.32      3.01
       Total Average Cost. .    3.65      3.09      2.78      3.32      3.23

Main System

      During 1997, the company served approximately 130,000 customers in central
and north central Kansas with natural gas supplied through the main system.  The
principal  market areas include Salina,  Manhattan,  Junction City,  Great Bend,
McPherson and Hutchinson, Kansas.

                                                        15

<PAGE>



      Natural gas for the company's main system was purchased from a combination
of direct wellhead production,  the outlet of natural gas processing plants, and
natural gas marketers and production companies.  Such purchases were transported
entirely through company-owned transmission lines in Kansas.

      Natural gas purchased for the company's main system customer  requirements
was  transported  and/or  stored by the Market  Center.  The company  retained a
priority  right to capacity  on the Market  Center  necessary  to serve the main
system customers.  The company had the opportunity to negotiate for the purchase
of natural gas with  producers or marketers  utilizing  Market Center  services,
which  increased the  potential  supply  available to meet main system  customer
demands.


      The  company  purchased  approximately  4.4 BCF and 7.6 BCF of natural gas
during 1997 and 1996,  respectively,  through the spot market.  These  purchases
represented   approximately  35.2%  and  45.5%  of  the  company's  main  system
requirements during 1997 and 1996, respectively.

      Spivey-Grabs field in south-central Kansas supplied  approximately 3.9 BCF
of  natural  gas in 1997  and 4.2 BCF in 1996,  constituting  31.0%  and  25.1%,
respectively, of the main system's requirements during such periods.

      Other  sources of gas for the main  system of 3.0 BCF or 24.0% and 2.7 BCF
or 16.0% of the system  requirements were purchased from or transported  through
interstate  pipelines during 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The remainder of the
supply  for  the  main  system  during  1997  and  1996  of 1.2  BCF and 2.2 BCF
representing 9.8% and 13.4%, respectively, was purchased directly from producers
or gathering systems.

      During 1997 and 1996, approximately 0.8 BCF and 1.5 BCF, respectively,  of
the total main system supply was transferred to the company's  interstate system
(See Interstate System).

      The main system's  average  wholesale  cost per MCF purchased for the past
five years was as follows:
                         Natural Gas Supply - Main System
                              (Average Cost per MCF)

                              1997     1996     1995     1994     1993
                             -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
  Mesa-Hugoton Contract. .   $ -      $ -      $1.44    $1.81    $1.78(1)
  Other. . . . . . . . . .    3.43     2.48     2.47     2.92     2.69
  Total Average Cost . . .    3.43     2.48     2.06     2.23     2.20

      (1) Includes 2.5 BCF @ $1.31/MCF of make-up deliveries.

      The load  characteristics  of the company's  natural gas customers created
relatively  high volume  demand on the main system  during cold winter days.  To
assure  peak day  service  to high  priority  customers  the  company  owned and
operated  and had under  contract  natural gas storage  facilities  (See Item 2.
Properties).


WESTAR GAS MARKETING

      Westar Gas  Marketing  was formed in 1988 to pursue  natural gas marketing
opportunities.  Westar Gas  Marketing  purchased  and  marketed  natural  gas to
approximately 925 customers  located in Kansas,  Missouri,  Nebraska,  Colorado,
Oklahoma, Iowa, Wyoming and Arkansas. Westar Gas Marketing purchased natural gas

                                                        16

<PAGE>



under both  long-term and  short-term  contracts from producers and operators in
the Hugoton,  Arkoma and Anadarko gas basins.  Westar Gas  Marketing  engaged in
certain   transactions  to  hedge  natural  gas  prices  in  its  gas  marketing
activities.  The  net  assets  and  operations  of  Westar  Gas  Marketing  were
contributed  to ONEOK in November  1997,  upon the  completion  of the strategic
alliance with ONEOK.


WESTAR GAS COMPANY

      Westar Gas Company  owned and operated the Minneola Gas  Processing  Plant
(Minneola) in Ford County,  Kansas.  Minneola  extracts liquids from natural gas
provided  by  outside  producers  and  sells  the  residue  gas  to  third-party
marketers. A portion of the residue gas is sold to Westar Gas Marketing.

      Westar Gas Company,  through its  participation in various joint ventures,
owned a 41.4%  beneficial  interest in the Indian Basin Processing Plant (Indian
Basin) near  Artesia,  New Mexico.  Indian Basin is operated by Marathon Oil and
extracts  natural  gas liquids  for third  party  producers.  The net assets and
operations  of Westar Gas Company were  contributed  to ONEOK in November  1997,
upon the completion of the strategic alliance with ONEOK.


SECURITY ALARM MONITORING OPERATIONS

      On July 30,  1997,  the  company  agreed to  combine  its  security  alarm
monitoring  business  with  Protection  One,  a  publicly  held  security  alarm
monitoring provider. On November 24, 1997, the company completed the transaction
by contributing approximately $532 million in security alarm monitoring business
net assets and approximately $258 million in cash in exchange for an approximate
82.4% ownership in Protection One.

      Protection  One is a leading  provider of security  alarm  monitoring  and
related services in the United States with  approximately  950,000  subscribers.
Protection  One has grown rapidly since its inception by  participating  in both
the  growth  and  consolidation  of  the  security  alarm  monitoring  industry.
Protection  One has  focused its  customer  growth in major  metropolitan  areas
demonstrating strong demand for security alarms.

      Protection  One's revenues  consist  primarily of  subscribers'  recurring
payments for monitoring and related  services.  Protection One monitors  digital
signals arising from  burglaries,  fires,  and other events  utilizing  security
systems installed at subscribers'  premises.  Through a network of approximately
60 branches,  Protection One provides maintenance and repair of security systems
and, in select  markets,  armed  response  to verify  that an actual  emergency,
rather than a false alarm, has occurred.

      Protection  One provides its services to the  residential,  commercial and
wholesale segments of the alarm monitoring  market.  Protection One believes the
residential segment,  which represents in excess of 80% of its customer base, is
the most attractive  because of its growth  prospects,  growth margins and size.
Within the residential segment, 19% of Protection One's customer base resides in
multi-family  complexes  such as  apartments  and  condominiums  and 62%  occupy
single-family  households.  The remainder of Protection  One's  customer base is
split between commercial  subscribers and subscribers owned by independent alarm
dealers that subcontract monitoring services to Protection One.



                                                        17

<PAGE>



SEGMENT INFORMATION

      Financial  information  with respect to business  segments is set forth in
Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.


FINANCING

      The company's  ability to issue  additional debt and equity  securities is
restricted under limitations imposed by the charter and the Mortgage and Deed of
Trust of Western Resources and KGE.

      Western Resources'  mortgage prohibits  additional Western Resources first
mortgage bonds from being issued (except in connection with certain  refundings)
unless the company's  net earnings  available  for  interest,  depreciation  and
property  retirement  for a period  of 12  consecutive  months  within 15 months
preceding  the  issuance  are not less  than the  greater  of twice  the  annual
interest charges on, or 10% of the principal amount of, all first mortgage bonds
outstanding after giving effect to the proposed issuance. Based on the company's
results for the 12 months ended December 31, 1997, no first mortgage bonds could
be issued (7.25% interest rate assumed).

      Western Resources' bonds may be issued, subject to the restrictions in the
preceding  paragraph,  on the basis of  property  additions  not  subject  to an
unfunded  prior lien and on the basis of bonds  which have been  retired.  As of
December 31, 1997,  the company had  approximately  $225 million of net bondable
property  additions not subject to an unfunded  prior lien entitling the company
to issue up to $135 million principal amount of additional bonds. As of December
31, 1997, no first mortgage bonds could be issued on the basis of retired bonds.

      KGE's  mortgage  prohibits  additional KGE first mortgage bonds from being
issued (except in connection with certain  refundings) unless KGE's net earnings
before income taxes and before  provision for  retirement  and  depreciation  of
property for a period of 12  consecutive  months within 15 months  preceding the
issuance are not less than two and one-half  times the annual  interest  charges
on, or 10% of the principal amount of, all KGE first mortgage bonds  outstanding
after giving effect to the proposed issuance.  Based on KGE's results for the 12
months ended December 31, 1997,  approximately  $935 million principal amount of
additional  KGE first  mortgage  bonds  could be  issued  (7.25%  interest  rate
assumed).

      KGE's bonds may be issued,  subject to the  restrictions  in the preceding
paragraph,  on the basis of property  additions not subject to an unfunded prior
lien and on the basis of bonds which have been retired. As of December 31, 1997,
KGE had  approximately  $1.4  billion of net  bondable  property  additions  not
subject to an  unfunded  prior lien  entitling  KGE to issue up to $961  million
principal  amount of additional KGE bonds.  As of December 31, 1997, $17 million
in additional bonds could be issued on the basis of retired bonds.

      The most  restrictive  provision  of the  company's  charter  permits  the
issuance of  additional  shares of preferred  stock  without  certain  specified
preferred  stockholder  approval only if, for a period of 12 consecutive  months
within 15 months preceding the issuance,  net earnings  available for payment of
interest exceed one and one-half times the sum of annual  interest  requirements
plus  dividend  requirements  on  preferred  stock  after  giving  effect to the
proposed issuance.

                                                        18

<PAGE>



After giving effect to the annual interest and dividend requirements on all debt
and preferred  stock  outstanding at December 31, 1997,  such ratio was 4.17 for
the 12 months ended December 31, 1997.

      In connection with the combination of the electric  utility  operations of
the  company,   KCPL  and  KGE,  Westar  Energy  will  assume  $1.9  billion  of
indebtedness  for borrowed  money of the company and KGE comprised  primarily of
the companies'  outstanding  long-term  debt. In connection with the transfer of
Western  Resources'  electric  utility  operations,  which constitute all of the
property  subject  to the  Mortgage  and  Deed of  Trust,  dated  July 1,  1939,
(Mortgage)  between the company and Harris Trust and Savings  Bank,  as trustee,
and substantially all of the assets of Western Resources,  to Westar Energy, the
company in accordance  with the Mortgage will assign and be released  from,  and
Westar Energy will assume, the Mortgage and all obligations of the company under
the Mortgage and all first mortgage bonds  outstanding  thereunder.  Pursuant to
the  amended and  restated  agreement  and plan of merger,  KGE's  mortgage,  by
operation  of law,  will be  assumed  by Westar  Energy.  The  company  will not
transfer  and  will  continue  to  hold  its   investments  in  its  unregulated
operations,  including Protection One and ONEOK. See,  "Management's  Discussion
and Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of  Operations"  and Note 5 of
"Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements".

      KCPL has  outstanding  first  mortgage  bonds (the "KCPL Bonds") which are
secured by a lien on  substantially  all of KCPL's fixed property and franchises
purported to be conveyed by the General Mortgage Indenture and Deed of Trust and
the various Supplemental  Indentures creating the KCPL Bonds (collectively,  the
"KCPL  Mortgage").  Westar Energy has agreed to assume $800 million of debt from
KCPL.  The  KCPL  mortgage  will  have a prior  lien on the  KCPL  property  and
franchises to be owned by Westar Energy.


REGULATION AND RATES

      The  company  is  subject  as  an  operating   electric   utility  to  the
jurisdiction  of the  Kansas  Corporation  Commission  (KCC)  which has  general
regulatory  authority over the company's  rates,  extensions and abandonments of
service and facilities,  valuation of property,  the  classification of accounts
and various other  matters.  The company is subject to the  jurisdiction  of the
FERC and KCC with respect to the issuance of securities.

      Electric fuel costs are included in base rates.  Therefore, if the company
wished to recover an increase in fuel costs, it would have to file a request for
recovery  in a rate  filing  with the KCC  which  could be denied in whole or in
part.  Any increase in fuel costs from the  projected  average which the company
did not recover through rates would reduce its earnings.  The degree of any such
impact  would be affected by a variety of factors,  however,  and thus cannot be
predicted.

      The  company is exempt as a public  utility  holding  company  pursuant to
Section  3(a)(1)  of the Public  Utility  Holding  Company  Act of 1935 from all
provisions of that Act,  except Section  9(a)(2).  Additionally,  the company is
subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC, including jurisdiction as to rates with
respect  to  sales  of  electricity  for  resale.  KGE is  also  subject  to the
jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as to nuclear plant operations
and safety.

      Additional  information with respect to Rate Matters and Regulation as set
forth  in Note 8 of Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  is  included
herein.


                                                        19

<PAGE>



EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

      As of December 31, 1997, the company had 2,412 employees.  The company did
not experience any strikes or work stoppages during 1997. The company's  current
contract  with the  International  Brotherhood  of  Electrical  Workers  extends
through June 30, 1999. The contract covers approximately 1,483 employees.


                                                        20

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
                                                              Other Offices or Positions
Name                  Age      Present Office                 Held During Past Five Years
<S>                   <C>      <C>                            <C>
John E. Hayes, Jr.     60      Chairman of the Board          President
                                 and Chief Executive
                                 Officer

David C. Wittig        42      President                      Executive Vice President,
                                 (since March 1996)             Corporate Strategy
                                                                (May 1995 to March 1996)

                                                              Salomon Brothers Inc -
                                                                Managing Director, Co-Head of
                                                                Mergers and Acquisitions

Norman E. Jackson      60      Executive Vice President,      Executive Vice President,
                                 Electric Operations            Electric Transmission and
                                 (since November 1996)          Engineering Services
                                                                (May 1995 to November 1996)

                                                              Executive Vice President,
                                                                Electric Engineering and Field
                                                                Operations (1992 to 1995)

Steven L. Kitchen      52      Executive Vice President
                                 and Chief Financial
                                 Officer

Carl M. Koupal, Jr.    44      Executive Vice President       Executive Vice President
                                 and Chief Administrative       Corporate Communications,
                                 Officer (since July 1995)      Marketing, and Economic Development
                                                                (January 1995 to July 1995)

                                                                Vice President, Corporate Marketing,
                                                                And Economic Development, (1992 to
                                                                1994)


John K. Rosenberg      52      Executive Vice President
                                 and General Counsel

Jerry D. Courington    52      Controller


Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. There are no
family  relationships among any of the executive officers,  nor any arrangements
or  understandings  between any executive  officer and other persons pursuant to
which he was appointed as an executive officer.
</TABLE>


















                                                            21

<PAGE>




ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

      The  company  owns  or  leases  and   operates  an  electric   generation,
transmission, and distribution system in Kansas.


ELECTRIC FACILITIES
                                Unit      Year      Principal   Unit Capacity
            Name                 No.    Installed     Fuel         (MW) (1)

Abilene Energy Center:
     Combustion Turbine           1        1973       Gas             66

Gordon Evans Energy Center:
     Steam Turbines               1        1961     Gas--Oil         152
                                  2        1967     Gas--Oil         382

Hutchinson Energy Center:
     Steam Turbines               1        1950       Gas             16
                                  2        1950       Gas             17
                                  3        1951       Gas             26
                                  4        1965       Gas            197
     Combustion Turbines          1        1974       Gas             50
                                  2        1974       Gas             49
                                  3        1974       Gas             52
                                  4        1975       Diesel          78
     Diesel Generator             1        1983       Diesel           3

Jeffrey Energy Center (84%)(2):
     Steam Turbines               1        1978       Coal           617
                                  2        1980       Coal           617
                                  3        1983       Coal           605

La Cygne Station (50%)(2):
     Steam Turbines               1        1973       Coal           343
                                  2        1977       Coal           334

Lawrence Energy Center:
     Steam Turbines               2        1952       Gas              0 (3)
                                  3        1954       Coal            58
                                  4        1960       Coal           115
                                  5        1971       Coal           384

Murray Gill Energy Center:
     Steam Turbines               1        1952     Gas--Oil          44
                                  2        1954     Gas--Oil          74
                                  3        1956     Gas--Oil         107
                                  4        1959     Gas--Oil         106









                                                            22

<PAGE>



                                Unit      Year      Principal   Unit Capacity
            Name                 No.    Installed     Fuel         (MW) (1)

Neosho Energy Center:
     Steam Turbines               3        1954     Gas--Oil           0 (3)

Tecumseh Energy Center:
     Steam Turbines               7        1957       Coal            85
                                  8        1962       Coal           153
     Combustion Turbines          1        1972       Gas             19
                                  2        1972       Gas             20

Wichita Plant:
     Diesel Generator             5        1969      Diesel            3

Wolf Creek Generating Station (47%)(2):
     Nuclear                      1        1985     Uranium          547
                                                                   -----

     Total                                                         5,319


(1) Based on MOKAN rating.

(2) The company jointly owns Jeffrey Energy Center (84%), La Cygne Station (50%)
and Wolf Creek  Generating  Station  (47%).  KCPL  jointly  owns 50% of La Cygne
Station and 47% of Wolf Creek Generating Station.

(3) These units have been "mothballed" for future use.


ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

      On January 8, 1997,  Innovative  Business  Systems,  Ltd. (IBS) filed suit
against the company and Westinghouse  Electric  Corporation (WEC),  Westinghouse
Security  Systems,  Inc.  (WSS) and  WestSec,  Inc.  (WestSec),  a  wholly-owned
subsidiary  of the company  established  to acquire the assets of WSS, in Dallas
County,  Texas district court (Cause No 97-00184) alleging,  among other things,
breach of contract by WEC and interference  with contract against the company in
connection with the sale by WEC of the assets of WSS to the company.  IBS claims
that WEC  improperly  transferred  software owned by IBS to the company and that
the company is not  entitled to its use. The company has demanded WEC defend and
indemnify  it.  WEC  and  the  company  have  denied  IBS'  allegations  and are
vigorously defending against them. Management does not believe that the ultimate
disposition  of this  matter  will  have a  material  adverse  effect  upon  the
company's overall financial condition or results of operations.

      The  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (SEC) has  commenced a private
investigation  relating,  among other things,  to the timeliness and adequacy of
disclosure filings with the SEC by the company with respect to securities of ADT
Ltd. The company is cooperating  with the SEC staff in the production of records
relating to the investigation.

      Additional  information on legal proceedings  involving the company is set
forth  in  Notes 7, 8,  and 9 of  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements
included  herein.  See  also  Item  1.  Business,   Environmental  Matters,  and
Regulation  and  Rates  and Item 7.  Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.



                                                            23

<PAGE>



ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

      No matter  was  submitted  during the  fourth  quarter of the fiscal  year
covered by this report to a vote of the company's security holders,  through the
solicitation of proxies or otherwise.



                                      PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Stock Trading

      Western  Resources  common stock,  which is traded under the ticker symbol
WR, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.  As of March 17, 1998,  there were
58,669 common shareholders of record. For information regarding quarterly common
stock  price  ranges  for 1997 and  1996,  see Note 21 of Notes to  Consolidated
Financial Statements included herein.


Dividends

      Western  Resources  common  stock is  entitled  to  dividends  when and as
declared by the Board of Directors. At December 31, 1997, the company's retained
earnings were restricted by $857,600  against the payment of dividends on common
stock.  However,  prior to the payment of common  dividends,  dividends  must be
first  paid to the  holders  of  preferred  stock and  second to the  holders of
preference stock based on the fixed dividend rate for each series.

      Dividends  have been paid on the  company's  common stock  throughout  the
company's history.  Quarterly  dividends on common stock normally are paid on or
about the first of January,  April,  July, and October to shareholders of record
as of or about the third day of the preceding  month.  Dividends  increased four
cents per common share in 1997 to $2.10 per share. In January 1998, the Board of
Directors  declared a quarterly  dividend of 53 1/2 cents per common  share,  an
increase of one cent over the previous  quarter.  The payment of dividends is at
the  discretion of the Board of  Directors.  Future  dividends  depend upon such
matters as future  earnings,  expectations  and the  financial  condition of the
company. For information  regarding quarterly dividend declarations for 1997 and
1996, see Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
See also Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations.


                                                            24

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Year Ended December 31,        1997(1)(2)       1996          1995         1994(3)        1993
                               ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    -------
                                                     (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                            <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
Income Statement Data:
Sales:
  Energy. . . . . . . . . . .  $1,999,418    $2,038,281    $1,743,930    $1,764,769    $2,028,411
  Security. . . . . . . . . .     152,347         8,546           344          -             -
                               ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    -------
 Total sales. . . . . . . . .   2,151,765     2,046,827     1,744,274     1,764,769     2,028,411
Income from operations. . . .     142,925       388,553       373,721       370,672       370,338
Net income . . . . . . .  . .     494,094       168,950       181,676       187,447       177,370
Earnings available for common
  stock. . . . . . . . .  . .     489,175       154,111       168,257       174,029       163,864



December 31,                     1997(2)        1996          1995         1994(3)        1993
                               ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    -------
                                                     (Dollars in Thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets. . . . . . . . .  $6,976,960    $6,647,781    $5,490,677    $5,371,029     $5,412,048
Long-term debt, preference
 stock, and other mandatorily
 redeemable securities. . . .   2,451,855     1,951,583     1,641,263     1,507,028     1,673,988


Year Ended December 31,             1997          1996          1995        1994(3)         1993
                                   ------        ------        ------       -------        -----

Common Stock Data:
Basic earnings per share . . . . . $ 7.51        $ 2.41        $ 2.71        $ 2.82        $ 2.76
Dividends per share. . . . . . . . $ 2.10        $ 2.06        $ 2.02        $ 1.98        $ 1.94
Book value per share . . . . . . . $30.79        $25.14        $24.71        $23.93        $23.08
Average shares outstanding(000's)  65,128        63,834        62,157        61,618        59,294
Interest coverage ratio (before
  income taxes, including
  AFUDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5.52          2.67          3.14          3.42          2.79

(1) Information reflects the gain on the sale of Tyco common shares.
(2) Information  reflects the  contribution of the natural gas business to ONEOK
on  November  30,  1997.  (3)  Information  reflects  the sales of the  Missouri
Properties.
</TABLE>


                                                            25

<PAGE>



ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

      In Management's Discussion and Analysis we explain the general financial
condition and the operating results for Western Resources, Inc. and its
subsidiaries.  We explain:

      - What  factors  impact our business - What our earnings and costs were in
      1997 and 1996 - Why these  earnings and costs differed from year to year -
      How our earnings and costs affect our overall  financial  condition - What
      our  capital  expenditures  were for  1997 - What we  expect  our  capital
      expenditures to be for the years 1998
            through 2000
      - How we plan to pay for these  future  capital  expenditures  - Any other
      items that particularly affect our financial condition or
            earnings

      As you read  Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis,  please refer to our
Consolidated  Statements  of  Income  on page  41.  These  statements  show  our
operating  results  for 1997,  1996 and 1995.  In  Management's  Discussion  and
Analysis, we analyze and explain the significant annual changes of specific line
items in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

      FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS:  Certain matters discussed here and elsewhere
in this Annual Report are  "forward-looking  statements." The Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has established that these statements  qualify for
safe harbors from liability.  Forward-looking  statements may include words like
we   "believe,"   "anticipate,"   "expect"   or   words  of   similar   meaning.
Forward-looking  statements describe our future plans, objectives,  expectations
or goals.  Such  statements  address  future  events and  conditions  concerning
capital expenditures,  earnings,  litigation, rate and other regulatory matters,
possible corporate restructurings, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions liquidity
and capital  resources,  interest and  dividend  rates,  environmental  matters,
changing weather,  nuclear  operations and accounting  matters.  What happens in
each case could vary  materially  from what we expect  because of such things as
electric utility  deregulation,  including ongoing state and federal activities;
future  economic  conditions;   legislative  developments;  our  regulatory  and
competitive markets; and other circumstances  affecting anticipated  operations,
revenues and costs.


1997 HIGHLIGHTS

      GAIN ON SALE OF EQUITY  SECURITIES:  During the third  quarter of 1997, we
sold all of our Tyco  International  Ltd. (Tyco) common shares for approximately
$1.5 billion.  We recorded a pre-tax gain of  approximately  $864 million on the
sale which is  included  in "Other  Income" on the  Consolidated  Statements  of
Income. We recorded tax expense of approximately $345 million in connection with
this gain. The tax on the gain is included in "Income Taxes" on the Consolidated
Statements of Income. As discussed further in "Financial  Condition" below, this
significantly affected our financial results for 1997 (see Note 2).

      PURCHASE OF PROTECTION ONE, INC.:  On July 30, 1997, we agreed to combine
our security alarm monitoring business with Protection One, Inc.
(Protection One), a publicly held security alarm monitoring provider.
On November 24, 1997, we completed

                                                            26

<PAGE>



the  transaction by  contributing  approximately  $532 million in security alarm
monitoring  business net assets and approximately $258 million in cash. The cash
contributed included funds used for a special dividend of $7.00 per common share
to Protection One  shareowners,  option  holders and warrant  holders other than
Western  Resources.  In exchange for our net security alarm monitoring  business
assets and cash, we received approximately 82.4% ownership in Protection One. We
entered the security alarm monitoring  business to make our company more diverse
and to achieve growth.

      In December 1997,  Protection One recorded a special  non-recurring charge
of approximately $40 million.  Approximately $28 million of this charge reflects
the  elimination  of redundant  facilities  and  activities and the write-off of
inventory and other assets which are no longer of continuing value to Protection
One. The  remaining $12 million of this charge  reflects the estimated  costs to
transition all security alarm monitoring operations to the Protection One brand.
Protection  One intends to complete  these  activities by the fourth  quarter of
1998.

      STRATEGIC  ALLIANCE  WITH ONEOK INC.:  On December 12, 1996,  we agreed to
form a  strategic  alliance  with ONEOK Inc.  (ONEOK) to combine the natural gas
assets  of both  companies.  In  November  1997,  we  completed  this  strategic
alliance.  We contributed  substantially  all of our regulated and non-regulated
natural gas business  net assets  totaling  approximately  $594 million to a new
company which merged with ONEOK and adopted the name ONEOK.  ONEOK  operates its
natural gas  business in Kansas  using the name Kansas Gas Service  Company.  In
exchange for our  contribution,  we received a 45% ownership  interest in ONEOK.
The structure of the strategic alliance had no immediate income tax consequences
to our company or our shareowners.

      Our 45%  ownership  interest in ONEOK is comprised  of 3.1 million  common
shares and  approximately  19.9  million  convertible  preferred  shares.  If we
converted all the preferred  shares,  we would own  approximately 45% of ONEOK's
common shares  presently  outstanding.  Our  agreement  with ONEOK allowed us to
appoint two members to ONEOK's board of directors. ONEOK currently pays a common
dividend of $1.20 per share. The initial annual dividend rate on the convertible
preferred shares is $1.80 per share.

      MERGER  AGREEMENT WITH KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT  COMPANY:  On February 7,
1997, we signed a merger  agreement with KCPL by which KCPL would be merged with
and  into  the  company  in  exchange  for  company  stock.  In  December  1997,
representatives  of our financial  advisor  indicated  that they believed it was
unlikely that they would be in a position to issue a fairness  opinion  required
for the merger on the basis of the previously announced terms.

      On March 18, 1998, we and KCPL announced a  restructuring  of our February
7, 1997, merger agreement which will result in the formation of Westar Energy, a
new  electric  company.  Under the terms of the merger  agreement,  our electric
utility  operations  will be transferred to KGE, and KCPL and KGE will be merged
into NKC,  Inc., a subsidiary of the company.  NKC, Inc. will be renamed  Westar
Energy. In addition,  under the terms of the merger agreement,  KCPL shareowners
will receive $23.50 of Western Resources common stock per KCPL share, subject to
a collar mechanism,  and one share of Westar Energy common stock per KCPL share.
Upon  consummation of the combination,  we will own  approximately  80.1% of the
outstanding  equity of Westar Energy and KCPL shareowners will own approximately
19.9%. As part of the combination, Westar Energy will assume all of the electric
utility related assets and liabilities of Western Resources, KCPL and KGE.

      Westar Energy will assume $2.7 billion in debt, consisting of $1.9 billion
of  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money of Western  Resources  and KGE,  and $800
million of debt of KCPL.  Long-term  debt of Western  Resources and KGE was $2.1
billion at December 31,

                                                            27

<PAGE>



1997.  Under the terms of the merger  agreement,  it is intended that we will be
released from our  obligations  with respect to our debt to be assumed by Westar
Energy.

      Pursuant to the merger agreement,  we have agreed,  among other things, to
call for redemption all outstanding shares of our 4 1/2% Series Preferred Stock,
par value $100 per share,  4 1/4%  Series  Preferred  Stock,  par value $100 per
share, and 5% Series Preferred Stock, par value $100 per share.

       Consummation of the merger is subject to customary  conditions  including
obtaining  the  approval of our and KCPL's  shareowners  and various  regulatory
agencies.  We estimate the transaction to close by mid-1999,  subject to receipt
of all necessary approvals.

      KCPL is a public utility company engaged in the generation,  transmission,
distribution,  and sale of  electricity  to  customers  in western  Missouri and
eastern  Kansas.  We,  KCPL and KGE have joint  interests  in  certain  electric
generating  assets,  including  Wolf  Creek.  For  additional  information,  see
"Financing in Item 1. Business" and Note 5 of "Notes to  Consolidated  Financial
Statements".  Following the closing of the combination Westar Energy is expected
to have  approximately  one million  electric  utility  customers  in Kansas and
Missouri,  approximately $8.2 billion in assets and the ability to generate more
than 8,000 megawatts of electricity.

      On March 23,  1998 we and KCPL filed a letter  informing  the FERC that we
had signed a revised  merger  agreement,  dated March 18, 1998.  We sent similar
letters on March 24, 1998 to the KCC and the Missouri Public Service  Commission
(MPSC). We and KCPL will submit appropriate  modifications to our merger filings
at FERC, the KCC and the MPSC as soon as practicable.

      As of December  31, 1997,  we had spent and  deferred on the  Consolidated
Balance Sheet  approximately  $53 million in our efforts to acquire KCPL. We had
planned to expense  these costs in the first  period  following  the merger.  We
reviewed the deferred costs and have  determined  that for accounting  purposes,
$48 million of the  deferred  costs  should be  expensed.  We recorded a special
non-recurring  charge of $29 million after taxes, or $0.44 per share in December
1997, to expense the costs that were incurred solely as a result of the original
merger agreement. At December 31, 1997, we had deferred approximately $5 million
related to the KCPL transaction. See "Financial Condition" below and Note 5.

      OTHER SECURITY ALARM MONITORING  BUSINESS  PURCHASES:  We acquired Network
MultiFamily  Security  Corporation  (Network  Multi-Family),  a  security  alarm
monitoring  provider  for  multi-unit  dwellings  based in  Dallas,  Texas,  for
approximately  $171  million in cash in  September  1997.  On  February 4, 1998,
Protection  One exercised  its option to acquire the stock of Network  Holdings,
Inc., the parent company of Network Multi-Family, from us for approximately $180
million.  We expect this  transaction  to occur in the first quarter of 1998. We
expect Protection One to borrow money from a revolving credit agreement provided
by Westar  Capital,  a  subsidiary  of Western  Resources,  to purchase  Network
Multi-Family.

      In  November  1997,  we  acquired  Centennial   Security  Holdings,   Inc.
(Centennial)  for  approximately  $94  million in cash.  Centennial  is based in
Madison, New Jersey and provides security alarm monitoring services to more than
50,000 customers in Ohio,  Michigan,  New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.  We
contributed our Centennial  security alarm monitoring business to Protection One
on November 24, 1997.

      In March 1998, Protection One acquired the subscribers and assets of
Wichita, Kansas-based Multimedia Security Services, Inc.  Multimedia Security
Services, Inc. has approximately 140,000 subscribers concentrated primarily in
California, Florida,

                                                            28

<PAGE>



Kansas,  Oklahoma  and Texas.  We expect  Protection  One to borrow money from a
revolving  credit  agreement   provided  by  Westar  Capital  to  complete  this
transaction.

      OTHER INVESTMENTS: In December 1997, we invested $28 million to acquire an
interest in two 55-megawatt  power plants in the People's  Republic of China. We
invested  approximately  $3 million in power  projects in the Republic of Turkey
and  Colombia  in 1997  (see Note 7). We also  invested  in other  miscellaneous
investments.

      ELECTRIC RATE DECREASE:  On May 23, 1996, we reduced our electric rates to
KGE customers by $8.7 million annually on an interim basis. On October 22, 1996,
the KCC Staff, the City of Wichita,  the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board and we
filed an agreement  asking the KCC to reduce our retail electric rates.  The KCC
approved this agreement on January 15, 1997. Per the agreement:

      -     We made permanent the May 1996 interim $8.7 million  decrease in KGE
            rates on February 1, 1997
      - We reduced KGE's rates by $36 million  annually on February 1, 1997 - We
      reduced  KPL's  rates by $10  million  annually  on  February 1, 1997 - We
      rebated $5 million to all of our  electric  customers in January 1998 - We
      will reduce KGE's rates by $10 million more annually on June 1,
            1998
      - We will rebate $5 million to all of our electric customers in January
            1999
      - We will reduce KGE's rates by $10 million more annually on June 1,
            1999

      All rate decreases are cumulative.  Rebates are one-time events and do not
influence future rates. See "Financial Condition" below and Note 8.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

      1997  compared to 1996:  Earnings  increased to $489 million for 1997 from
$154 million for 1996, an improvement of 218%.  Basic earnings per share rose to
$7.51 for 1997 compared to $2.41 for 1996, an increase of 212%.  Basic  earnings
per share is calculated  based upon the average weighted number of common shares
outstanding  during the period.  There were no  significant  amounts of dilutive
securities  outstanding  at December 31, 1997 or 1996.  Four  factors  primarily
affected 1997 earnings and basic earnings per share compared to 1996:

      -     The gain on the sale of the Tyco  common  stock  increased  earnings
            before taxes by $864 million and basic earnings per share by $7.97
      -     The write-off of  approximately  $48 million in costs related to the
            KCPL Merger decreased basic earnings per share by $0.44
      -     The operating  results and special  one-time  charges from our first
            full  year  of  security  alarm  monitoring  business  reduced  1997
            earnings by $47 million and basic earnings per share by $0.72
      -     Our reduced electric rates implemented on February 1, 1997 decreased
            revenues by $46 million and basic earnings per share by $0.42

      Dividends declared for 1997 increased four cents per common share to $2.10
per share. On January 29, 1998, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of 53
1/2 cents per common  share for the first  quarter of 1998,  an  increase of one
cent from the previous quarter.

      Our book value per common share was $30.79 at December 31, 1997,  compared
to $25.14 at December 31, 1996.  The 1997 closing stock price of $43.00 was 140%
of book value and 39% higher than the closing  price of $30.875 on December  31,
1996. Book value is

                                                            29

<PAGE>



the total  common  stock  equity  divided by the common  shares  outstanding  at
December 31. There were  65,409,603  common shares  outstanding  at December 31,
1997.

      1996  compared  to 1995:  Basic  earnings  per share were  $2.41  based on
63,833,783  average  common shares for 1996, a decrease from $2.71 in 1995.  Net
income for 1996  decreased to $169 million  from $182  million.  The decrease in
basic  earnings  per share and net income is  primarily  due to the impact of an
$11.8 million or $0.19 per share charge,  net of tax,  attributable  to one-time
restructuring  and other charges recorded by ADT Limited (ADT).  Abnormally cool
summer  weather  during the third quarter of 1996 and the $8.7 million  electric
rate decrease to KGE customers also lowered earnings.


OPERATING RESULTS

      In  our  "1997   Highlights",   we   discussed   five  factors  that  most
significantly changed our operating results for 1997 compared to 1996.

      The  following  explains  significant  changes  from prior year results in
revenues,  cost of sales, operating expenses,  other income (expense),  interest
expense, income taxes and preferred and preference dividends.

      After 1997,  because of the ONEOK alliance,  we will no longer  separately
report natural gas operations financial information in our financial statements,
or in our  Management's  Discussion and Analysis.  Also, we had minimal security
alarm monitoring business  operations in 1995 and, therefore,  we do not discuss
variations relating to it between 1996 and 1995.

      SALES:   Energy  revenues  include  electric  revenues,   power  marketing
revenues, natural gas revenues and other insignificant  energy-related revenues.
Certain  state  regulatory  commissions  and the FERC  authorize  rates  for our
electric  revenues.  Our  energy  revenues  vary with  levels  of sales  volume.
Changing  weather  affects  the amount of energy  our  customers  use.  Very hot
summers  and  very  cold  winters  prompt  more  demand,  especially  among  our
residential customers. Mild weather reduces demand.

      Many things will affect our future energy sales. They include:

      -  The weather
      -  Our electric rates
      -  Competitive forces
      -  Customer conservation efforts
      -  Wholesale demand
      -  The overall economy of our service area

      1997 compared to 1996:  Electric revenues  increased three percent because
of revenues of $70 million  from the  expansion of power  marketing  activity in
1997.  Our  involvement in electric  power  marketing  anticipates a deregulated
electric utility industry.  We are involved in both the marketing of electricity
and risk management services to wholesale electric customers and the purchase of
electricity for our retail customers.  Our margin from power marketing  activity
is  significantly  less  than our  margins  on other  energy  sales.  Our  power
marketing  activity  has  resulted in energy  purchases  and sales made in areas
outside of our historical  marketing  territory.  In 1997, this additional power
marketing  activity  had an  insignificant  effect on operating  income.  Higher
electric revenues from power marketing were offset by our reduced electric rates
implemented February 1, 1997. Reduced electric rates lowered 1997 revenues by an
estimated  $46 million  compared to 1996.  The rate  decreases we have agreed to
make will impact future revenues.


                                                            30

<PAGE>



      Natural  gas  revenues  decreased  $58  million  or seven  percent in 1997
compared to 1996 because we transferred  our net natural gas business  assets to
ONEOK as of November 30, 1997 and we had warmer than normal weather in the first
quarter of 1997. In December  1997,  we began  reporting  investment  income for
ONEOK based upon our common and preferred equity interests.

      Security alarm monitoring  business  revenues  increased $144 million from
our minimal 1996 security alarm monitoring  business revenues.  This increase is
because of our  December 30,  1996,  purchase of the net assets of  Westinghouse
Security Systems,  Inc.  (Westinghouse  Security Systems) and our acquisition on
November 24, 1997, of  approximately  82.4% of Protection  One. As a result,  we
have  included  a full year of  operating  results  from  Westinghouse  Security
Systems  and one month of  operating  results  from  Protection  One.  See "1997
Highlights" above and Note 3.

      1996 compared to 1995:  Electric revenues were five percent higher in 1996
compared to 1995.  Our service  territory  experienced  colder winter and warmer
spring  temperatures during the first six months of 1996 compared to 1995, which
yielded higher sales in the  residential  and commercial  customer  classes.  We
experienced  a 17% increase in heating  degree days during the first  quarter of
1996 and had double the cooling  degree  days during the second  quarter of 1996
compared  to the same  periods in 1995.  Partially  offsetting  the  increase in
electric revenues was abnormally cool summer weather during the third quarter of
1996 compared to 1995 and a  KCC-ordered  electric rate decrease of $8.7 million
for KGE customers (see Note 8).

      Colder  winter  temperatures,  higher  natural  gas  costs  passed  on  to
customers  as  permitted  by the KCC and more  as-available  natural  gas  sales
increased  regulated  natural gas revenues 29% for 1996 as compared to 1995. The
natural  gas  revenue  increase  approved  by the KCC on July 11,  1996,  raised
regulated natural gas revenues $14 million for the last six months of 1996.

      COST OF SALES:  Items  included in energy cost of sales are fuel  expense,
purchased power expense (electricity we purchase from others for resale),  power
marketing  expense and natural gas  purchased.  Items included in security alarm
monitoring  cost of sales  are the  cost of  direct  monitoring  and the cost of
installing security monitoring equipment that is not capitalized.

      1997  compared to 1996:  Energy  business cost of sales was $49 million or
six percent higher.  Our power marketing  activity in 1997 increased energy cost
of sales by $70 million.

      Actual cost of fuel to generate  electricity (coal,  nuclear fuel, natural
gas or oil) and the  amount of power  purchased  from other  utilities  were $14
million higher in 1997 than in 1996. Our Wolf Creek nuclear  generating  station
was off-line in the fourth quarter of 1997 for scheduled  maintenance and our La
Cygne  coal  generation  station  was  off-line  during  1997  for  an  extended
maintenance  outage.  As a  result,  we  burned  more  natural  gas to  generate
electricity at our facilities.  Natural gas is more costly to burn than coal and
nuclear fuel for generating electricity.

      Railroad  transportation  limitations prevented scheduled fuel deliveries,
reducing  our coal  inventories.  To  compensate  for low coal  inventories,  we
purchased more power from other utilities and burned more expensive  natural gas
to meet our  energy  requirements.  We also  purchased  more  power  from  other
utilities  because  our Wolf  Creek and La Cygne  generating  stations  were not
generating electricity for parts of 1997.

      Due to the  contribution of our natural gas business to ONEOK, our natural
gas cost of sales decreased $24 million. We will no longer reflect such costs in
our financial statements.

                                                            31

<PAGE>



      The security alarm  monitoring  cost of sales  increased $35 million.  The
increase  is a result of the  purchase  of the assets of  Westinghouse  Security
Systems on December  30, 1996,  and our  acquisition  on November  24, 1997,  of
approximately 82.4% of Protection One.

      1996  compared to 1995:  Energy  business  cost of sales was $220  million
higher in 1996 than 1995. We purchased more power from other  utilities  because
our Wolf Creek nuclear  generating  station was off-line in the first quarter of
1996 for a planned refueling outage. Higher net generation due to warmer weather
and higher  customer  demand for air  conditioning  during the second quarter of
1996 also contributed to the higher fuel and purchased power expenses.

      Security alarm  monitoring  cost of sales  increased $4 million due to the
purchases of several small security alarm monitoring companies.


OPERATING EXPENSES

      OPERATING  AND  MAINTENANCE  EXPENSE:  Operating and  maintenance  expense
increased  slightly  from  1996  to  1997.  Operating  and  maintenance  expense
increased  $23  million  or six  percent  from  1995  to  1996  due to  expenses
associated with our regulated  natural gas transmission  service  provider,  Mid
Continent Market Center.

      DEPRECIATION  AND  AMORTIZATION  EXPENSE:  The amortization of capitalized
security  alarm  monitoring   accounts  and  goodwill  for  our  security  alarm
monitoring   business  increased  our  depreciation  and  amortization   expense
approximately  $41 million for 1997 versus 1996. A full year of  amortization of
the  acquisition  adjustment  for the  1992  acquisition  of KGE  increased  our
depreciation and amortization expense for 1996 compared to 1995 by approximately
$14 million.

      SELLING,   GENERAL  AND  ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENSE:   Selling,  general  and
administrative  expense has  increased  $113 million  from 1996 to 1997.  Higher
employee  benefit costs of  approximately  $30 million and higher security alarm
monitoring business selling, general and administrative expense of approximately
$83  million  caused this  increase.  The  security  alarm  monitoring  business
increase  is  because  of our  December  30,  1996,  purchase  of the  assets of
Westinghouse  Security  Systems and our  acquisition  on November 24,  1997,  of
approximately 82.4% of Protection One.

      OTHER:  We recorded a special non-recurring charge in December 1997 to
expense $48 million of deferred KCPL Merger costs.

      Protection One recorded a special  non-recurring  charge of  approximately
$40  million in  December  1997,  to reflect  the phase out of certain  business
activities  which  are no longer  of  continuing  value to  Protection  One,  to
eliminate  redundant  facilities and activities and to bring all customers under
the Protection One brand.

      OTHER INCOME  (EXPENSE):  Other income  (expense)  includes  miscellaneous
income and expenses not directly related to our operations. The gain on the sale
of Tyco common stock  increased  other income $864 million for 1997  compared to
1996. Other income (expense) decreased slightly from 1995 to 1996.

      INTEREST  EXPENSE:  Interest  expense  includes  the  interest  we paid on
outstanding  debt. We recognized  $27 million more  short-term  debt interest in
1997 than in 1996.  Average  short-term  debt  balances were higher in 1997 than
1996 because we used  short-term  debt to finance our  investment  in ADT and to
purchase the assets of Westinghouse  Security Systems.  Short-term debt interest
expense  declined in the second half of 1997 after we used the proceeds from the
sale of Tyco common stock and a long-term debt

                                                            32

<PAGE>



financing to reduce our  short-term  debt  balance.  From  December 31, 1996, to
December 31, 1997, our short-term debt balance decreased $744 million. From 1996
to 1997, interest recorded on long-term debt increased $14 million or 13% due to
the issuance of $520 million in senior unsecured notes.

      We had $16 million more in interest  expense on short-term  and other debt
in 1996 than in 1995 because we used  short-term  debt to finance our investment
in  ADT  and  we  issued  Western  Resources  obligated  mandatorily  redeemable
preferred securities of subsidiary trusts.

                                                            33

<PAGE>



We also  recognized $10 million more long-term debt interest in 1996 compared to
1995 due to a higher revolving credit agreement balance.

      INCOME TAXES:  Income taxes on the gain from the sale of Tyco common stock
increased  total  income tax  expense by  approximately  $345  million  for 1997
compared to 1996.
Income taxes did not vary significantly from 1995 to 1996.

      PREFERRED  AND  PREFERENCE  DIVIDENDS:   We  redeemed  all  of  our  8.50%
preference  stock  due  2016 on July 1,  1996;  therefore,  1997  preferred  and
preference  dividends  were $10 million  lower  compared to 1996.  Preferred and
preference dividends varied slightly from 1995 to 1996.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

      OVERVIEW:  Most of our cash requirements  consist of capital  expenditures
and maintenance costs associated with the electric utility  business,  continued
growth in the  security  alarm  monitoring  business,  payment  of common  stock
dividends  and  investments  in foreign power  projects.  Our ability to attract
necessary  financial  capital on  reasonable  terms is  critical  to our overall
business plan. Historically, we have paid for acquisitions with cash on hand, or
the issuance of stock or short-term debt. Our ability to provide the cash, stock
or debt to fund our capital  expenditures  depends upon many  things,  including
available resources, our financial condition and current market conditions.

      As of December 31, 1997, we had $77 million in cash and cash  equivalents.
We consider  highly liquid debt  instruments  purchased with a maturity of three
months or less to be cash equivalents.  Our cash and cash equivalents  increased
$73 million from December 31, 1996,  due to cash held by Protection  One.  Other
than  operations,  our primary source of short-term cash is from short-term bank
loans,  unsecured lines of credit and the sale of commercial  paper. At December
31, 1997, we had approximately  $237 million of short-term debt outstanding,  of
which $76 million was commercial paper. An additional $773 million of short-term
debt was available from committed credit arrangements.

      Other funds are  available to us from the sale of  securities  we register
for sale with the SEC. As of December  31, 1997,  these  included $30 million of
Western  Resources  first  mortgage  bonds which may also be issued as unsecured
senior  notes at our  option,  $50  million  of KGE  first  mortgage  bonds  and
approximately 11 million Western Resources common shares.

      Our embedded cost of long-term  debt was 7.5% at December 31, 1997, a drop
of 0.1% from December 31, 1996.

      CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Cash provided by operations declined
$355  million  from 1996  primarily  due to income taxes paid on the gain on the
sale of Tyco  stock.  Individual  items of  working  capital  will vary with our
normal  business  cycles and  operations,  including  the timing of receipts and
payments.  Amortization of goodwill and subscriber  accounts associated with the
security alarm monitoring business increased,  because security alarm monitoring
operations were small during 1996.

      CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING  ACTIVITIES:  Cash used in investing  activities
varies with the timing of capital  expenditures,  acquisitions  and investments.
For 1997, we had positive net cash flow from investing activities because of the
receipt of  approximately  $1.5  billion in  proceeds on the sale of Tyco common
stock.

                                                            34

<PAGE>



      We had two significant  investing  activities  during 1997 which partially
offset the proceeds  from the sale of the Tyco common  stock.  We invested  $484
million to acquire  security alarm  monitoring  companies and accounts.  We also
invested  approximately  $31  million in  international  power  projects  in the
People's Republic of China, the Republic of Turkey and Colombia.

      CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING  ACTIVITIES:  We paid off $275 million  borrowed
under a multi-year  revolving credit agreement with short-term debt in the first
quarter of 1997.

      In August  1997,  we issued $520  million in  convertible  first  mortgage
bonds.  We used the proceeds,  after  expenses,  to reduce  short-term  debt. In
November 1997, we converted the first mortgage bonds into unsecured senior notes
having the same principal  amount,  interest rate and maturity date as the first
mortgage bonds. This conversion satisfied mortgage  requirements to retire bonds
in order to release our natural gas properties  from the mortgage and contribute
them to ONEOK (see Note 15).

      We used a portion of the  proceeds  from the sale of Tyco common  stock to
reduce short-term debt. In aggregate, our short-term debt has declined from $981
million at December 31, 1996, to $237 million at December 31, 1997.

      On February 27, 1998, we sent a notice of redemption to the holders of our
7.58%  Preference Stock due 2007. On April 1, 1998, we will redeem this stock at
a premium, including dividends, for $53 million.

      CAPITAL STRUCTURE: Our capital structures at December 31, 1997, and 1996
were as follows:
                                                       1997        1996
      Common stock                                      45%         45%
      Preferred and preference stock                     2%          2%
      Western Resources obligated
        mandatorily redeemable preferred
        securities of subsidiary trust holding
        solely company subordinated debentures           5%          6%
      Long-term debt                                    48%         47%
                                                       ----        ----
      Total                                            100%        100%

      SECURITY RATINGS:  Standard & Poor's Ratings Group (S&P),  Fitch Investors
Service  (Fitch)  and  Moody's   Investors  Service  (Moody's)  are  independent
credit-rating agencies.  These agencies rate our debt securities.  These ratings
indicate the  agencies'  assessment of our ability to pay interest and principal
on these  securities.  These  ratings  affect  how  much we will  have to pay as
interest securities we sell to obtain additional capital. The better the rating,
the less we will have to pay on debt securities we sell.

      At December 31, 1997, ratings with these agencies were as follows:

                                                          Kansas Gas
                            Western        Western       and Electric
                           Resources'     Resources'       Company's
                            Mortgage      Short-term       Mortgage
                              Bond           Debt            Bond
         Rating Agency       Rating         Rating          Rating
         -------------     ----------     ----------     ---------
         S&P                  A-             A-2             BBB+
         Fitch                A-             F-2             A-
         Moody's              A3             P-2             A3


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<PAGE>



      Following the announcement of our restructured merger agreement with KCPL,
S&P placed its ratings of Western  Resources and KGE bonds on  CreditWatch  with
positive  implications.  Moody's  changed the direction of its ongoing review of
Western Resources' debt rating from possible downgrade to possible upgrade.

      FUTURE CASH REQUIREMENTS:  We believe that internally  generated funds and
new and existing credit  agreements will be sufficient to meet our operating and
capital expenditure requirements, debt service and dividend payments through the
year 2000.  Uncertainties  affecting our ability to meet these requirements with
internally  generated  funds include the effect of competition  and inflation on
operating expenses,  sales volume,  regulatory  actions,  compliance with future
environmental regulations, the availability of generating units and weather. The
amount  of  these  requirements  and our  ability  to  fund  them  will  also be
significantly  impacted  by the  pending  combination  of our  electric  utility
operations with KCPL.

      We believe that we will meet the needs of our electric  utility  customers
without adding any major generation facilities in the next five years.

      Our  business  requires a  significant  capital  investment.  We currently
expect that through the year 2000, we will need cash mostly for:

      -  Ongoing utility construction and maintenance program designed to
             maintain and improve facilities providing electric service
      -  Growth within the security alarm monitoring business, including
             acquisition of subscriber accounts
      -  Investment opportunities in international power development projects
             and generation facilities
      -  Expansion of our nonregulated operations

      Capital  expenditures  for 1997 and anticipated  capital  expenditures for
1998 through 2000 are as follows:

                             Security
                              Alarm
                  Electric  Monitoring  International   Other     Total
                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
   1997. . . . .  $159,800   $ 45,200      $30,500     $17,300  $252,800
   1998. . . . .   142,000    216,900       52,500      41,700   453,100
   1999. . . . .   121,400    263,200       79,200      11,700   475,500
   2000. . . . .   137,800    280,800        9,200         800   428,600

      Capital  expenditures  in 1997  included  an  additional  $47  million  in
improvements  to our natural gas system.  Because we contributed our natural gas
business net assets to ONEOK, we will not incur any direct capital  expenditures
related to that business in future years.

      "Electric" capital expenditures include the cost of nuclear fuel.
"Security Alarm Monitoring" capital expenditures include anticipated
acquisitions of subscriber accounts.

      "International"  expenditures  include  commitments to international power
development projects and generation facilities. "Other" primarily represents our
commitments to our Affordable  Housing Tax Credit program (AHTC). See discussion
in "Other Information" below.

                                                            36

<PAGE>



      These estimates are prepared for planning purposes and may be revised (see
Note 7). Electric expenditures shown in the table above do not take into account
the pending  combination of our electric utility  operations with KCPL (see Note
5).

      Bond  maturities  and  preference  stock  sinking fund  requirements  will
require cash of approximately $303 million through the year 2002. Protection One
is required to retire long-term debt of approximately $63 million through 1999.

      Our  currently  authorized  quarterly  dividend of 53 1/2 cents per common
share or $2.14 on an annual  basis is paid from our  earnings.  The  payment  of
dividends is at the  discretion  of our board of directors.  Each  quarter,  the
board makes a determination  on the amount of dividends to declare,  considering
such matters as future earnings expectations and our financial condition.


OTHER INFORMATION

      COMPETITION  AND  ENHANCED  BUSINESS  OPPORTUNITIES:   The  United  States
electric utility industry is evolving from a regulated  monopolistic market to a
competitive  marketplace.  The 1992  Energy  Policy Act began  deregulating  the
electricity industry. The Energy Policy Act permitted the FERC to order electric
utilities to allow third parties the use of their  transmission  systems to sell
electric power to wholesale customers.  A wholesale sale is defined as a utility
selling electricity to a "middleman",  usually a city or its utility company, to
resell to the  ultimate  retail  customer.  As part of the 1992 KGE  merger,  we
agreed to open access of our  transmission  system for  wholesale  transactions.
FERC also  requires us to provide  transmission  services to others  under terms
comparable to those we provide to  ourselves.  During 1997,  wholesale  electric
revenues represented approximately 12% of total electric revenues.

      Various  states have taken  steps to allow  retail  customers  to purchase
electric power from providers other than their local utility company. The Kansas
Legislature  has created a Retail  Wheeling Task Force (the Task Force) to study
the effects of a  deregulated  and  competitive  market for  electric  services.
Legislators,   regulators,  consumer  advocates  and  representatives  from  the
electric industry make up the Task Force. The Task Force submitted a bill to the
Kansas Legislature  without  recommendation.  This bill seeks competitive retail
electric  service  on July 1,  2001.  The  bill  was  introduced  to the  Kansas
Legislature  in the opening  days of the 1998  legislative  session,  but is not
expected to come to a vote this year.  The Task Force also is evaluating  how to
recover  certain  investments  in generation and related  facilities  which were
approved  and  incurred  under  the  existing  regulatory  model.  Some of these
investments may not be recoverable in a competitive marketplace. We have opposed
the Task  Force's  bill for  this  reason.  These  unrecovered  investments  are
commonly  called  "stranded  costs."  See  "Stranded  Costs"  below for  further
discussion.  Until a bill is passed by the Kansas Legislature, we cannot predict
its impact on our company, but the impact could be material.

      We believe  successful  providers of energy in a  deregulated  market will
provide  energy-related  services.  We believe  consumers will demand innovative
options  and  insist  on   efficient   products   and  services  to  meet  their
energy-related  needs. We believe that our strong core utility business provides
a platform to offer the efficient  energy  products and services that  customers
will  desire.  We  continue  to seek new  ways to add  value  to the  lives  and
businesses of our customers.  We recognize  that our current  customer base must
expand  beyond our  existing  service  area.  We view every person in the United
States and abroad as a potential customer.

      Increased  competition  for retail  electricity  sales may  reduce  future
electric utility earnings compared to our historical  electric utility earnings.
After all

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<PAGE>



electric rate decreases are implemented, our rates will range from 73% to 91% of
the national  average for retail  customers.  Because of these reduced rates, we
expect to retain a substantial part of our current sales volume in a competitive
environment.  Finally,  we  believe  the  deregulated  energy  market  may prove
beneficial to us. We also plan to  compensate  for  competitive  pressure in our
current  regulated  business  with  the  nationwide  security  alarm  monitoring
services we offer to customers.

      While operating in this competitive  environment may place pressure on our
profit  margins,  common  dividends and credit  ratings,  we expect it to create
opportunities.  Wholesale  and  industrial  customers  may pursue  cogeneration,
self-generation,  retail  wheeling,  municipalization  or  relocation  to  other
service  territories  in an attempt to cut their  energy  costs.  Credit  rating
agencies are applying more stringent  guidelines  when rating utility  companies
due to increasing competition.

      We offer competitive  electric rates for industrial  improvement  projects
and economic development projects in an effort to maintain and increase electric
load.

      In  light of  competitive  developments,  we are  pursuing  the  following
strategic plan:

            - Maintain a strong core energy business - Build a national  branded
            presence - Create value through energy-related investments

      To better position  ourselves for the competitive energy  environment,  we
have  consummated a strategic  alliance with ONEOK (see Note 4), have acquired a
controlling  interest  in  Protection  One (see Note 3) and  continue to develop
international power projects.

      STRANDED COSTS: The definition of stranded costs for a utility business is
the investment in and carrying costs on property,  plant and equipment and other
regulatory assets which exceed the amount that can be recovered in a competitive
market.  We currently  apply  accounting  standards  that recognize the economic
effects of rate regulation and record regulatory assets and liabilities  related
to our generation,  transmission  and distribution  operations.  If we determine
that we no  longer  meet the  criteria  of  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 71,  "Accounting  for the Effects of Certain Types of  Regulation"
(SFAS 71), we may have a material  extraordinary  non-cash charge to operations.
Reasons  for  discontinuing  SFAS 71  accounting  treatment  include  increasing
competition  that restricts our ability to charge prices needed to recover costs
already  incurred and a significant  change by regulators from a cost-based rate
regulation to another form of rate  regulation.  We periodically  review SFAS 71
criteria  and believe our net  regulatory  assets,  including  those  related to
generation,  are  probable  of  future  recovery.  If  we  discontinue  SFAS  71
accounting   treatment   based  upon   competitive  or  other  events,   we  may
significantly  impact the value of our net  regulatory  assets  and our  utility
plant  investments,  particularly the Wolf Creek facility.  See "Competition and
Enhanced Business  Opportunities" above for initiatives taken to restructure the
electric industry in Kansas.

      Regulatory  changes,  including  competition,  could adversely  impact our
ability to recover our  investment in these assets.  As of December 31, 1997, we
have  recorded  regulatory  assets  which are  currently  subject to recovery in
future rates of approximately  $380 million.  Of this amount,  $213 million is a
receivable  for income  tax  benefits  previously  passed on to  customers.  The
remainder  of the  regulatory  assets are items  that may give rise to  stranded
costs including coal contract settlement costs, deferred employee benefit costs,
deferred plant costs and debt issuance costs.

      In a competitive environment, we may not be able to fully recover our
entire investment in Wolf Creek.  We presently own 47% of Wolf Creek.  Our
ownership would

                                                            38

<PAGE>



increase  to 94%  when  the  KCPL  combination  is  completed.  We also may have
stranded costs from an inability to recover our environmental  remediation costs
and long-term fuel contract costs in a competitive environment.  If we determine
that we have  stranded  costs  and we cannot  recover  our  investment  in these
assets,  our future net  utility  income will be lower than our  historical  net
utility  income has been unless we  compensate  for the loss of such income with
other measures.

      YEAR 2000 ISSUE:  We are currently  addressing the effect of the Year 2000
Issue on our  reporting  systems  and  operations.  We face the Year 2000  Issue
because many computer systems and  applications  abbreviate dates by eliminating
the first two  digits of the year,  assuming  that  these two  digits are always
"19". On January 1, 2000, some computer  programs may incorrectly  recognize the
date as January 1, 1900. Some computer systems may incorrectly  process critical
financial and operational information,  or stop processing altogether because of
the date  abbreviation.  Calculations  using the year 2000 will affect  computer
applications before January 1, 2000.

      We have recognized the potential adverse effects the Year 2000 Issue could
have on our company.  In 1996,  we  established  a formal Year 2000  remediation
program to investigate  and correct these problems in the main computer  systems
of our company.  In 1997, we expanded the program to include all business  units
and  departments  of our  company.  The goal of our program is to  identify  and
assess every critical system  potentially  affected by the Year 2000 date change
and to repair or replace those systems found to be  incompatible  with Year 2000
dates.

      We plan to have our Year 2000 readiness efforts substantially completed by
the end of 1998. We expect no significant  operational  impact on our ability to
serve our customers, pay suppliers, or operate other areas of our business.

      We  currently  estimate  that total costs to update all of our systems for
year 2000  compliance  will be  approximately  $7 million.  In 1997, we expensed
approximately $3 million of these costs and based on what we now know, we expect
to incur about $4 million in 1998 to complete our efforts.

      There  can be no  assurance,  however,  that  our  suppliers  will  not be
affected by the Year 2000 Issue which could affect our operations.

      AFFORDABLE HOUSING TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: We have received authorization from
the KCC to invest up to $114 million in AHTC investments.  An example of an AHTC
project  is  housing  for  residents  who are  elderly  or meet  certain  income
requirements.  At December 31, 1997, the company had invested  approximately $17
million to purchase limited partnership interests. We are committed to investing
approximately  $55 million more in AHTC  investments  by January 1, 2000.  These
investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.  Based upon
an order  received from the KCC,  income  generated  from the AHTC  investments,
primarily  tax  credits,   will  be  used  to  offset  costs   associated   with
postretirement and postemployment benefits offered to our employees. Tax credits
are recognized in the year generated.

      DECOMMISSIONING:  Decommissioning  is a  nuclear  industry  term  for  the
permanent  shutdown of a nuclear power plant when the plant's  license  expires.
The Nuclear  Regulatory  Commission  (NRC) will terminate a plant's  license and
release  the  property  for  unrestricted  use when a company  has  reduced  the
residual  radioactivity  of a nuclear plant to a level  mandated by the NRC. The
NRC requires  companies  with nuclear power plants to prepare  formal  financial
plans.  These  plans  ensure that funds  required  for  decommissioning  will be
accumulated  during the estimated  remaining  life of the related  nuclear power
plant.

                                                            39

<PAGE>



      The SEC staff has questioned the way electric utilities recognize, measure
and classify  decommissioning  costs for nuclear electric generating stations in
their financial  statements.  In response to the SEC's questions,  the Financial
Accounting  Standards  Board is reviewing the accounting for closure and removal
costs, including  decommissioning of nuclear power plants. If current accounting
practices for nuclear  power plant  decommissioning  are changed,  the following
could occur:

      - Our annual  decommissioning  expense  could be higher than in 1997 - The
      estimated cost for decommissioning could be recorded as a
           liability (rather than as accumulated depreciation)
      -  The increased costs could be recorded as additional investment in the
           Wolf Creek plant

      We do not believe that such changes,  if required,  would adversely affect
our  operating  results  due to our current  ability to recover  decommissioning
costs through rates. (See Note 7).

      REGULATORY ISSUES: On November 27, 1996, the KCC issued a Suspension Order
and on December 3, 1996,  the KCC issued an order  which  suspended,  subject to
refund,  the  collection  of costs  related to  purchases  from Kansas  Pipeline
Partnership  included in our cost of natural gas. On November 25, 1997,  the KCC
issued its order lifting the suspension and closing the docket.

      PRONOUNCEMENT  ISSUED BUT NOT YET EFFECTIVE:  In January 1998, the company
adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131,  "Disclosures about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related  Information"  (SFAS 131).  This statement
establishes  standards for public  business  enterprises  to report  information
about operating  segments in interim and annual  financial  statements.  Interim
disclosure  requirements  are not required  until 1999.  Operating  segments are
defined  as  components  of  an  enterprise   about  which  separate   financial
information  is  available  that is evaluated  regularly by the chief  operating
decision  maker in deciding how to allocate  resources  and assess  performance.
Adoption of the disclosure requirements of SFAS 131 will impact the presentation
of the company's business segments.

                                                            40

<PAGE>



Item 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

      Not applicable.

                                                            41

<PAGE>



ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                        PAGE

Report of Independent Public Accountants                                  39

Financial Statements:

     Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 1997 and 1996              40
     Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
       December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995                                   41
     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
       1997, 1996 and 1995                                                42
     Consolidated Statements of Cumulative Preferred and
       Preference Stock, December 31, 1997 and 1996                       43
     Consolidated Statements of Common Shareowners' Equity for
       the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995                   44
     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                           45


SCHEDULES OMITTED

      The  following  schedules  are  omitted  because  of  the  absence  of the
conditions  under which they are required or the  information is included in the
financial statements and schedules presented:

      I, II, III, IV, and V.



                                                            42

<PAGE>



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Shareowners and Board of Directors
  of Western Resources, Inc.:

      We  have  audited  the  accompanying   consolidated   balance  sheets  and
statements of cumulative  preferred and preference  stock of Western  Resources,
Inc.,  and  subsidiaries  as of  December  31,  1997 and 1996,  and the  related
consolidated  statements of income,  cash flows, and common  shareowners' equity
for each of the  three  years in the  period  ended  December  31,  1997.  These
financial  statements are the  responsibility of the company's  management.  Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based on
our audits.

      We conducted our audits in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

      In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all  material  respects,  the  consolidated  financial  position  of  Western
Resources,  Inc.,  and  subsidiaries  as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,  and the
consolidated  results of their  operations  and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity  with generally
accepted accounting principles.



                                                            ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Kansas City, Missouri,
  January 29, 1998
(March 24, 1998 with  respect to Note 5 of the Notes to  Consolidated  Financial
 Statements.)


                                                            43

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                             WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

                                                                       December 31,
                                                                  1997              1996
ASSETS
<S>                                                            <C>              <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $   76,608        $    3,724
  Accounts receivable (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       325,043           318,966
  Inventories and supplies (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . .        86,398           135,255
  Marketable securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        75,258              -
  Prepaid expenses and other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        25,483            36,503
                                                               ----------        ----------
    Total Current Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       588,790           494,448
                                                               ----------        ----------

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET. . . . . . . . . . . . .     3,786,528         4,384,017
                                                               ----------        ----------

OTHER ASSETS:
  Investment in ADT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          -              590,102
  Investment in ONEOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       596,206              -
  Subscriber accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       549,152           265,530
  Goodwill (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       854,163           225,892
  Regulatory assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       380,421           458,296
  Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       221,700           229,496
                                                               ----------        ----------
    Total Other Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2,601,642         1,769,316
                                                               ----------        ----------

TOTAL ASSETS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $6,976,960        $6,647,781
                                                               ----------        ----------

LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Current maturities of long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . .    $   21,217        $     -
  Short-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       236,500           980,740
  Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       151,166           180,540
  Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       249,447           140,204
  Accrued income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        27,360            27,053
  Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        89,106            23,555
                                                              -----------        ----------
    Total Current Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       774,796         1,352,092
                                                              -----------        ----------

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
  Long-term debt (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2,181,855         1,681,583
  Western Resources obligated mandatorily redeemable
    preferred securities of subsidiary trusts holding
    solely company subordinated debentures. . . . . . . . .       220,000           220,000
  Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits. . . . .     1,065,565         1,235,900
  Minority interests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       164,379             -
  Deferred gain from sale-leaseback . . . . . . . . . . . .       221,779           233,060
  Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       259,521           225,608
                                                               ----------        ----------
    Total Long-term Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     4,113,099         3,596,151
                                                               ----------        ----------

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY:
  Cumulative preferred and preference stock . . . . . . . .        74,858            74,858
  Common stock, par value $5 per share, authorized
    85,000,000 shares, outstanding 65,409,603 and
    64,625,259 shares, respectively . . . . . . . . . . . .       327,048           323,126
  Paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       760,553           739,433
  Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       914,487           562,121
  Net change in unrealized gain on equity securities (net).        12,119              -
                                                               ----------        -------
    Total Shareowners' Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2,089,065         1,699,538
                                                               ----------        ----------

TOTAL LIABILITIES & SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY . . . . . . . . . .    $6,976,960        $6,647,781
                                                               ----------        ----------

The Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  are an integral  part of this
statement.
</TABLE>







                                                            44

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                             WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)


                                                                     Year Ended December 31,
                                                                1997         1996         1995
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>         <C>
SALES:
  Energy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $1,999,418   $2,038,281   $1,743,930
  Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         152,347        8,546          344
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------
    Total Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       2,151,765    2,046,827    1,744,274
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

COST OF SALES:
  Energy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         928,324      879,328      658,935
  Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          38,800        3,798           68
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------
    Total Cost of Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         967,124      883,126      659,003
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

GROSS PROFIT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1,184,641    1,163,701    1,085,271
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Operating and maintenance expense . . . . . . . . . .         383,912      374,369      351,589
  Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . .         256,725      201,331      177,830
  Selling, general and administrative expense . . . . .         312,927      199,448      182,131
  Write-off of deferred merger costs. . . . . . . . . .          48,008         -            -
  Security asset impairment charge. . . . . . . . . . .          40,144         -            -
                                                             ----------   ----------   -------
    Total Operating Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1,041,716      775,148      711,550
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         142,925      388,553      373,721
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Gain on sale of Tyco securities . . . . . . . . . . .         864,253         -            -
  Special charges from ADT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            -         (18,181)        -
  Investment earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          25,646       20,647         -
  Minority interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           4,737         -            -
  Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          28,403       12,841       18,657
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------
    Total Other Income (Expense). . . . . . . . . . . .         923,039       15,307       18,657
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

INCOME BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . .       1,065,964      403,860      392,378
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

INTEREST EXPENSE:
  Interest expense on long-term debt. . . . . . . . . .         119,389      105,741       95,962
  Interest expense on short-term debt and other . . . .          73,836       46,810       30,360
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------
    Total Interest Expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         193,225      152,551      126,322
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         872,739      251,309      266,056
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

INCOME TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         378,645       82,359       84,380
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

NET INCOME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         494,094      168,950      181,676
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE DIVIDENDS. . . . . . . . . . .           4,919       14,839       13,419
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR COMMON STOCK . . . . . . . . . .      $  489,175   $  154,111   $  168,257
                                                             ----------   ----------   ----------

AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING . . . . . . . . . . .      65,127,803   63,833,783   62,157,125

BASIC EARNINGS PER AVERAGE COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING . .      $     7.51   $     2.41   $     2.71

DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE . . . . . . . . . .      $     2.10   $     2.06   $     2.02

The Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  are an integral  part of this
statement.
</TABLE>

                                                            45

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                             WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                     (Dollars in Thousands)

                                                                   Year ended December 31,
                                                               1997         1996         1995
<S>                                                         <C>          <C>          <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $  494,094   $  168,950   $  181,676
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    256,725      201,331      177,830
  Gain on sale of securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   (864,253)        -            -
  Equity in earnings from investments . . . . . . . . . . .    (25,405)      (9,373)        -
  Write-off of deferred merger costs. . . . . . . . . . . .     48,008         -            -
  Security asset impairment charge. . . . . . . . . . . . .     40,144         -            -
  Changes in working capital items (net of effects from acquisitions):
    Accounts receivable, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     14,156      (47,474)     (37,532)
    Inventories and supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      3,249       10,624         (715)
    Marketable securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (10,461)        -            -
    Prepaid expenses and other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      9,230      (14,900)       6,958
    Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (48,298)      15,353       18,578
    Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     65,071       10,261       (5,079)
    Accrued income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      9,869       26,377      (14,209)
    Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (8,584)      (4,824)     (28,642)
  Changes in other assets and liabilities . . . . . . . . .    (69,353)     (87,285)       5,134
                                                            ----------   ----------   ----------
    Net cash flows (used in) from operating activities. . .    (85,808)     269,040      303,999
                                                            ----------   ----------   ----------

CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Additions to property, plant and equipment (net). . . . .    210,738      195,602      232,252
  Customer account acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     45,163         -            -
  Proceeds from sale of securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,533,530)        -            -
  Security alarm monitoring acquisitions,
    net of cash acquired. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    438,717      368,535         -
  Purchase of ADT common stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       -         589,362         -
  Other investments (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     45,318        6,563       15,408
                                                            ----------   ----------   ----------
    Net cash flows (from) used in investing activities. . .   (793,594)   1,160,062      247,660
                                                            ----------   ----------   ----------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Short-term debt (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   (744,240)     777,290     (104,750)
  Proceeds of long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    520,000      225,000       50,000
  Retirements of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   (293,977)     (16,135)        (105)
  Issuance of other mandatorily redeemable securities . . .       -         120,000      100,000
  Issuance of common stock (net). . . . . . . . . . . . . .     25,042       33,212       36,161
  Redemption of preference stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . .       -        (100,000)        -
  Cash dividends paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   (141,727)    (147,035)    (137,946)
                                                            ----------   ----------   ----------
    Net cash flows (used in) from financing activities. . .   (634,902)     892,332      (56,640)
                                                            ----------   ----------   ----------

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS. . . .     72,884        1,310         (301)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
  Beginning of the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      3,724        2,414        2,715
                                                            ----------   ----------   ----------
  End of the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $   76,608   $    3,724   $    2,414
                                                            ==========   ==========   ==========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
CASH PAID FOR:
  Interest on financing activities (net of amount
    capitalized). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $  193,468   $  170,635   $  136,526
  Income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    404,548       66,692       84,811

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  During  1997,  the  company  contributed  the net  assets of its  natural  gas
  business  totaling  approximately  $594  million to ONEOK in  exchange  for an
  ownership interest of 45% in ONEOK.


The Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  are an integral  part of this
statement.
</TABLE>

                                                            46

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                             WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CUMULATIVE PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE STOCK
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

                                                                             December 31,
                                                                        1997            1996
<S>                                                                  <C>           <C>
CUMULATIVE PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE STOCK:
  Preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption,
    Par value $100 per share, authorized 600,000 shares,
      Outstanding -
        4 1/2% Series, 138,576 shares . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $  13,858       $   13,858
        4 1/4% Series, 60,000 shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . .          6,000            6,000
        5% Series, 50,000 shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          5,000            5,000
                                                                     ---------       ----------
                                                                        24,858           24,858
                                                                     ---------       ----------
  Preference stock subject to mandatory redemption,
    Without par value, $100 stated value, authorized
      4,000,000 shares, outstanding -
        7.58% Series, 500,000 shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . .         50,000           50,000
                                                                     ---------      -----------
TOTAL CUMULATIVE PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE STOCK . . . . . . . .      $  74,858      $    74,858
                                                                     =========      ===========


The Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  are an integral  part of this
statement.
</TABLE>

                                                            47

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                             WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                       CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF COMMON  SHAREOWNERS'  EQUITY
                          (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)



                                                                                      Unrealized
                                                                                       Gain on
                                                                                        Equity
                                                        Common   Paid-in   Retained   Securities
                                                        Stock    Capital   Earnings      (net)

<S>                                                    <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1994, 61,617,873 SHARES. . . . .  $308,089  $667,992  $498,374   $   -

Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       181,676

Cash dividends:
  Preferred and preference stock. . . . . . . . . . .                       (13,419)
  Common stock, $2.02 per share . . . . . . . . . . .                      (125,763)

Expenses on common stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                (772)

Issuance of 1,238,088 shares of common stock. . . . .     6,191    30,742
                                                       --------  --------

BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1995, 62,855,961 SHARES. . . . .   314,280   697,962   540,868       -

Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       168,950

Cash dividends:
  Preferred and preference stock. . . . . . . . . . .                       (14,839)
  Common stock, $2.06 per share . . . . . . . . . . .                      (131,611)

Issuance of 1,769,298 shares of common stock. . . . .     8,846    41,471    (1,247)
                                                       --------  --------  --------

BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1996, 64,625,259 SHARES. . . . .   323,126   739,433   562,121       -

Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                       494,094

Cash dividends:
  Preferred and preference stock. . . . . . . . . . .                        (4,919)
  Common stock, $2.10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                      (136,809)

Expenses on common stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                  (5)

Issuance of 784,344 shares of common stock. . . . . .     3,922    21,125

Net change in unrealized gain on equity securities
  (net of tax effect of $13,129). . . . . . . . . . .                                   12,119
                                                       --------  --------  --------  ---------

BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1997, 65,409,603 SHARES. . . . .  $327,048  $760,553  $914,487  $  12,119
                                                       --------  --------  --------  ---------


The Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  are an integral  part of this
statement.
</TABLE>


                                                            48

<PAGE>



                           WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

      Description  of  Business:  Western  Resources,  Inc.  (the  company) is a
publicly traded holding company.  The company's primary business  activities are
providing  electric  generation,   transmission  and  distribution  services  to
approximately  614,000 customers in Kansas;  providing security alarm monitoring
services  to  approximately  950,000  customers  located  throughout  the United
States,   providing  natural  gas  transmission  and  distribution  services  to
approximately   1.4  million  customers  in  Oklahoma  and  Kansas  through  its
investment in ONEOK Inc. (ONEOK) and investing in international  power projects.
Rate  regulated  electric  service is provided by KPL, a division of the company
and KGE, a wholly-owned subsidiary.  Security services are primarily provided by
Protection  One,  Inc.   (Protection  One),  a  publicly-traded,   approximately
82.4%-owned subsidiary.

      Principles of Consolidation: The company prepares its financial statements
in conformity with generally accepted  accounting  principles.  The accompanying
consolidated  financial statements include the accounts of Western Resources and
its  wholly-owned and  majority-owned  subsidiaries.  All material  intercompany
accounts and transactions  have been eliminated.  Common stock  investments that
are not  majority-owned  are  accounted  for using the  equity  method  when the
company's investment allows it the ability to exert significant influence.

      The company currently applies accounting  standards for its rate regulated
electric  business  that  recognize the economic  effects of rate  regulation in
accordance with Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No. 71, "Accounting
for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation", (SFAS 71) and, accordingly, has
recorded  regulatory  assets and liabilities when required by a regulatory order
or when it is probable,  based on regulatory  precedent,  that future rates will
allow for recovery of a regulatory asset.

      The  financial   statements  require  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that  affect the  reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities,  to
disclose  contingent  assets and  liabilities  at the balance sheet dates and to
report  amounts of revenues and expenses  during the  reporting  period.  Actual
results could differ from those estimates.

      Cash  and  Cash   Equivalents:   The  company   considers   highly  liquid
collateralized  debt  instruments  purchased  with a maturity of three months or
less to be cash equivalents.

      Available-for-sale  Securities:  The company classifies  marketable equity
securities  accounted  for under the cost  method as  available-for-sale.  These
securities are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices.  Unrealized
gains and losses,  net of the related  tax  effect,  are  reported as a separate
component of shareowners' equity until realized.

      At December 31, 1997, an  unrealized  gain of $12 million (net of deferred
taxes of $13 million) was included in shareowners'  equity. These securities had
a fair  value of  approximately  $75  million  and a cost of  approximately  $50
million at December 31, 1997. There were no  available-for-sale  securities held
at December 31, 1996.

      Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment is stated at
cost.  For utility plant, cost includes contracted services, direct labor and
materials, indirect charges for engineering, supervision, general and
administrative costs and an

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allowance for funds used during construction  (AFUDC).  The AFUDC rate was 5.80%
in 1997, 5.70% in 1996 and 6.31% in 1995. The cost of additions to utility plant
and  replacement  units of  property  are  capitalized.  Maintenance  costs  and
replacement of minor items of property are charged to expense as incurred.  When
units of  depreciable  property  are  retired,  they are removed  from the plant
accounts and the  original  cost plus  removal  charges  less salvage  value are
charged to accumulated depreciation.

      In accordance with  regulatory  decisions made by the KCC, the acquisition
premium of approximately  $801 million  resulting from the acquisition of KGE in
1992 is being amortized over 40 years. The acquisition  premium is classified as
electric plant in service.  Accumulated  amortization  through December 31, 1997
totaled $47.9 million.

      Depreciation:  Utility plant is depreciated on the straight-line method at
rates  approved by regulatory  authorities.  Utility plant is  depreciated on an
average annual composite basis using group rates that approximated  2.89% during
1997, 2.97% during 1996 and 2.84% during 1995.  Nonutility  property,  plant and
equipment of approximately  $20 million is depreciated on a straight-line  basis
over the estimated useful lives of the related assets.

      Fuel Costs: The cost of nuclear fuel in process of refinement, conversion,
enrichment  and  fabrication  is recorded  as an asset at  original  cost and is
amortized to expense based upon the quantity of heat produced for the generation
of electricity.  The accumulated  amortization of nuclear fuel in the reactor at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, was $20.9 million and $25.3 million, respectively.

      Subscriber  Accounts:  The  direct  costs  incurred  to install a security
system for a customer are capitalized. These costs include the costs of accounts
purchased,  the estimated fair value at the date of the acquisition for accounts
acquired in business  combinations,  equipment,  direct  labor and other  direct
costs  for  internally  generated  accounts.  These  costs  are  amortized  on a
straight-line  basis over the average  expected  life of a  subscriber  account,
currently  ten  years.  It is the  company's  policy  to  periodically  evaluate
subscriber account attrition utilizing historical attrition experience.

      Goodwill: Goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price over
the fair value of net assets acquired, is generally amortized on a straight-line
basis over 40 years.

      Regulatory Assets and Liabilities:  Regulatory  assets represent  probable
future  revenue  associated  with  certain  costs  that will be  recovered  from
customers  through  the  ratemaking  process.  The company  has  recorded  these
regulatory assets in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 71,  "Accounting  for the Effects of Certain  Types of  Regulation."  If the
company were required to terminate  application of that statement for all of its
regulated  operations,  the  company  would  have to record  the  amounts of all
regulatory  assets and liabilities in its  Consolidated  Statements of Income at
that time.  The company's  earnings  would be reduced by the total net amount in
the table below, net of applicable income taxes.  Regulatory assets reflected in
the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 1997 are as follows:










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     December 31,                                1997          1996
     --------------------------------------------------------------
                                               (Dollars in Thousands)
     Recoverable taxes. . . . . . . . . . . .  $212,996      $217,257
     Debt issuance costs. . . . . . . . . . .    75,336        78,532
     Deferred employee benefit costs. . . . .    37,875        40,834
     Deferred plant costs . . . . . . . . . .    30,979        31,272
     Coal contract settlement costs . . . . .    16,032        21,037
     Other regulatory assets. . . . . . . . .     7,203         8,794
     Phase-in revenues. . . . . . . . . . . .      -           26,317
     Deferred cost of natural gas purchased .      -           21,332
     Service line replacement . . . . . . . .      -           12,921
                                               --------      --------
      Total regulatory assets . . . . . . . .  $380,421      $458,296
                                               ========      ========

      Recoverable  income taxes:  Recoverable income taxes represent amounts due
      from customers for accelerated tax benefits which have been flowed through
      to customers  and are expected to be recovered  when the  accelerated  tax
      benefits reverse.

      Debt issuance costs:  Debt  reacquisition  expenses are amortized over the
      remaining term of the reacquired  debt or, if refinanced,  the term of the
      new  debt.  Debt  issuance  costs  are  amortized  over  the  term  of the
      associated debt.

      Deferred  employee benefit costs:  Deferred employee benefit costs will be
      recovered from income generated from the company's  Affordable Housing Tax
      Credit (AHTC) investment program.

      Deferred  plant  costs:  Disallowances  related to the Wolf Creek  nuclear
      generating facility.

      Coal contract settlement costs: The company deferred costs associated with
      the termination of certain coal purchase contracts.  These costs are being
      amortized over periods ending in 2002 and 2013.

      The  company  expects to  recover  all of the above  regulatory  assets in
rates.  The  regulatory  assets  noted  above,  with the  exception of some coal
contract settlement costs and debt issuance costs, other than the refinancing of
the La Cygne 2 lease, are not included in rate base and, therefore,  do not earn
a return. On November 30, 1997,  deferred costs associated with the service line
replacement  program  and  the  deferred  cost of  natural  gas  purchased  were
transferred to ONEOK. Phase-in revenues were fully amortized in 1997.

      Minority Interests:  Minority interests represent the minority
shareowner's proportionate share of the shareowners' equity and net income of
Protection One.

      Sales:  Energy sales are  recognized  as services are rendered and include
estimated  amounts for energy  delivered  but  unbilled at the end of each year.
Unbilled  revenue of $37 million  and $83 million is recorded as a component  of
accounts  receivable  (net) on the  Consolidated  Balance Sheets at December 31,
1997 and 1996, respectively.  Security sales are recognized when installation of
an alarm system occurs and when  monitoring or other  security-related  services
are provided.

      The company's  allowance  for doubtful  accounts  receivable  totaled $8.4
million and $6.3 million at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

      Income  Taxes:  Deferred tax assets and  liabilities  are  recognized  for
temporary  differences in amounts recorded for financial  reporting purposes and
their respective tax bases. Investment tax credits previously deferred are being
amortized to income over the life of the property which gave rise to the credits

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      Affordable  Housing Tax Credit  Program  (AHTC):  The company has received
authorization from the KCC to invest up to $114 million in AHTC investments.  At
December  31,  1997,  the  company  had  invested  approximately  $17 million to
purchase AHTC investments in limited  partnerships.  The company is committed to
investing approximately $55 million more in AHTC investments by January 1, 2000.
These investments are accounted for using the equity method. Based upon an order
received from the KCC, income generated from the AHTC investment,  primarily tax
credits,  will  be used to  offset  costs  associated  with  postretirement  and
postemployment  benefits  offered to the  company's  employees.  Tax credits are
recognized in the year generated.

      Risk  Management:  To minimize  the risk from market  fluctuations  in the
price of electricity,  the company utilizes financial and commodity  instruments
(derivatives)  to reduce price risk.  Gains or losses on derivatives  associated
with firm  commitments are generally  recognized as adjustments to cost of sales
or revenues when the associated transactions affect earnings. Gains or losses on
derivatives  associated with forecasted  transactions  are generally  recognized
when such forecasted transactions affect earnings.

      New  Pronouncements:  In 1997, the company adopted  Statement of Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 128,  "Earnings Per Share" (SFAS 128).  Basic earnings
per share is calculated  based upon the average weighted number of common shares
outstanding  during the period.  There were no  significant  amounts of dilutive
securities outstanding at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.

      Effective January 1, 1997, the company adopted the provisions of Statement
of Position (SOP) 96-1, "Environmental Remediation Liabilities".  This statement
provides  authoritative  guidance  for  recognition,  measurement,  display  and
disclosure of  environmental  remediation  liabilities in financial  statements.
Adoption  of this  statement  did not have a material  adverse  effect  upon the
company's overall financial position or results of operations.

      Reclassifications:  Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified
to conform with classifications used in the current year presentation.


2.  GAIN ON SALE OF EQUITY SECURITIES

      During 1996, the company acquired 27% of the common shares of ADT Limited,
Inc.  (ADT) and made an offer to acquire the  remaining ADT common  shares.  ADT
rejected this offer and in July 1997,  ADT merged with Tyco  International  Ltd.
(Tyco).  ADT and Tyco completed  their merger by exchanging ADT common stock for
Tyco common stock.

      Following the ADT and Tyco merger,  the company's equity investment in ADT
became an  available-for-sale  security.  During the third quarter of 1997,  the
company sold its Tyco common shares for approximately $1.5 billion.  The company
recorded a pre-tax  gain of $864 million on the sale and recorded tax expense of
approximately $345 million in connection with this gain.


3.  SECURITY ALARM MONITORING BUSINESS PURCHASES

      In 1997 the company  acquired three  monitored  security alarm  companies.
Each acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, the operating
results  for  each  acquired   company  have  been  included  in  the  company's
consolidated  financial  statements  since the date of acquisition.  Preliminary
purchase price  allocations  have been made based upon the fair value of the net
assets acquired. The company acquired

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Network Multi-Family  Security Corporation (Network  Multi-Family) in September,
1997 for  approximately  $171 million and  acquired  Centennial  Holdings,  Inc.
(Centennial) in November 1997 for  approximately  $94 million.  The company also
acquired an  approximate  82.4% equity  interest in  Protection  One in November
1997.

      Protection One is a publicly  traded  security  company.  The company paid
approximately  $258 million in cash and contributed all of its existing security
business  net assets,  other than  Network  Multi-Family,  in  exchange  for its
ownership interest in Protection One. Amounts contributed included funds used to
pay  existing  Protection  One common  shareowners,  option  holders and warrant
holders a  dividend  of $7.00 per common  share.  The  company  has an option to
purchase up to 2.8 million additional common shares of Protection One for $15.50
per share.  The option period extends to a date not later than October 31, 1999.
The company assigned  approximately  $278 million of the total purchase price to
subscriber  accounts and  approximately  $620 million to goodwill in  connection
with these security  acquisitions.  The subscriber  accounts are being amortized
over ten years and goodwill is being amortized over 40 years.

      Consideration  paid, assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection
with these security acquisitions is summarized as follows:

                                            (Dollars in Thousands)
      Fair value of assets acquired,
            net of cash acquired . . . . .        $1,001,094
      Cash paid, net of cash acquired
            of $88,822 . . . . . . . . . .          (438,717)
              Total liabilities assumed. .        $  562,377

      The following unaudited,  pro forma information for the company's security
business segment has been prepared assuming the Centennial, Network Multi-Family
and Protection One acquisitions occurred at the beginning of each period.

                                         1997         1996
                                      (Dollars in Thousands,
                             except per share data)
          Net Revenues. . . . . . .    $284,411     $241,841
          Net Loss. . . . . . . . .     (47,290)     (24,762)
          Net Loss per Share. . . .      ($0.73)      ($0.39)

      The pro forma financial  information is not necessarily  indicative of the
results of operations had the entities been combined for the entire period,  nor
do they  purport to be  indicative  of results  which  will be  obtained  in the
future.

      In December 1997,  Protection One recorded a special  non-recurring charge
of approximately $40 million.  Approximately $28 million of this charge reflects
the  elimination  of redundant  facilities  and  activities and the write-off of
inventory and other assets which are no longer of continuing value to Protection
One. The  remaining $12 million of this charge  reflects the estimated  costs to
transition all security alarm monitoring operations to the Protection One brand.
Protection One intends to complete  these exit  activities by the fourth quarter
of 1998.

      In  January  1998,  Protection  One  announced  that it will  acquire  the
monitored  security  alarm  business  of  Multimedia  Security  Services,   Inc.
(Multimedia Security) for approximately $220 million in cash. The acquisition is
expected  to  close  in the  first  quarter  of 1998.  Multimedia  Security  has
approximately 140,000 subscribers concentrated primarily in California, Florida,
Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.


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      On February 4, 1998,  Protection  One  exercised its option to acquire the
stock of Network  Holdings,  Inc., the parent  company of Network  Multi-Family,
from the company for approximately $180 million.  The company expects Protection
One to  borrow  money  from a  revolving  credit  agreement  provided  by Westar
Capital, a subsidiary of Western Resources, to purchase Network Multi-Family.


4.  STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH ONEOK INC.

      In November 1997, the company completed its strategic alliance with ONEOK.
The company  contributed  substantially  all of its regulated and  non-regulated
natural gas business to ONEOK in exchange for a 45% ownership interest in ONEOK.

      The company's  ownership  interest in ONEOK is comprised of  approximately
3.1 million common shares and approximately 19.9 million  convertible  preferred
shares.  If all the  preferred  shares were  converted,  the  company  would own
approximately 45% of ONEOK's common shares presently outstanding.  The agreement
with  ONEOK  allows  the  company to  appoint  two  members to ONEOK's  board of
directors.  The company will account for its common ownership in accordance with
the equity  method of  accounting.  Subsequent to the formation of the strategic
alliance, the consolidated energy revenues,  related cost of sales and operating
expenses for the company's natural gas business have been replaced by investment
earnings in ONEOK.


5.  MERGER AGREEMENT WITH KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY

      On February 7, 1997,  the company  signed a merger  agreement with KCPL by
which KCPL would be merged  with and into the  company in  exchange  for company
stock.  In December 1997,  representatives  of the company's  financial  advisor
indicated that they believed it was unlikely that they would be in a position to
issue a fairness  opinion required for the merger on the basis of the previously
announced terms.

      On March 18, 1998, the company and KCPL announced a restructuring of their
February 7, 1997,  merger agreement which will result in the formation of Westar
Energy, a new electric  company.  Under the terms of the merger  agreement,  the
electric utility  operations of the company will be transferred to KGE, and KCPL
and KGE will be merged into NKC,  Inc., a subsidiary  of the company.  NKC, Inc.
will be  renamed  Westar  Energy.  In  addition,  under the terms of the  merger
agreement, KCPL shareowners will receive $23.50 of company common stock per KCPL
share,  subject to a collar  mechanism,  and one share of Westar  Energy  common
stock per KCPL share. Upon consummation of the combination, the company will own
approximately  80.1%  of the  outstanding  equity  of  Westar  Energy  and  KCPL
shareowners will own  approximately  19.9%. As part of the  combination,  Westar
Energy will assume all of the electric utility related assets and liabilities of
the company, KCPL and KGE.

      Westar Energy will assume $2.7 billion in debt, consisting of $1.9 billion
of  indebtedness  for borrowed money of the company and KGE, and $800 million of
debt of KCPL.  Long-term  debt of Western  Resources and KGE was $2.1 billion at
December 31, 1997. Under the terms of the merger agreement,  it is intended that
the company will be released from its obligations  with respect to the company's
debt to be assumed by Westar Energy.

      Pursuant to the merger  agreement,  the  company  has agreed,  among other
things,  to call for  redemption  all  outstanding  shares of its 4 1/2%  Series
Preferred  Stock,  par value $100 per share, 4 1/4% Series  Preferred Stock, par
value $100 per share, and 5% Series Preferred Stock, par value $100 per share.


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<PAGE>



       Consummation of the merger is subject to customary  conditions  including
obtaining  the  approval of the  company's  and KCPL's  shareowners  and various
regulatory agencies. The company estimates the transaction to close by mid-1999,
subject to receipt of all necessary approvals.

      KCPL is a public utility company engaged in the generation,  transmission,
distribution,  and sale of  electricity  to  customers  in western  Missouri and
eastern  Kansas.  The  company,  KCPL and KGE have  joint  interests  in certain
electric generating assets, including Wolf Creek.

      On March 23, 1998 the company and KCPL filed a letter  informing  the FERC
that it had signed a revised merger agreement, dated March 18, 1998. The company
sent similar letters on March 24, 1998 to the KCC and the MPSC. We and KCPL will
submit appropriate  modifications to our merger filings at FERC, the KCC and the
MPSC as soon as practicable.

      The company  reviewed  the  deferred  costs and have  determined  that for
accounting purposes,  $48 million of the deferred costs relating to the original
merger  agreement  should be expensed.  These costs were  expensed in the fourth
quarter of 1997. At December 31, 1997, The company had deferred approximately $5
million related to the KCPL transaction.


6.  INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

      The  consolidated   financial  statements  include  the  company's  equity
investments  in ONEOK,  Guardian  International  (Guardian)  and  Onsite  Energy
Corporation (Onsite). The company's equity investments,  net of the amortization
of goodwill in these  entities,  at December  31, 1997 and equity in earnings in
1997, are as follows:

                              Ownership                      Equity
                              Percentage    Investment    in Earnings
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

ONEOK Inc. (1). . . . . . .     45%          $596,206        $1,970
Guardian (2). . . . . . . .     41%             9,174           $25
Onsite (3). . . . . . . . .     30%             3,312             -


(1) Includes equity earnings on the company's  common stock  investment  between
ONEOK and the company.

(2) The company  acquired a common and  convertible  preferred stock interest in
Guardian,  a Florida-based  security alarm  monitoring  company,  during October
1997, in exchange for cash.

(3) The company  acquired a common and  convertible  preferred stock interest in
Onsite, a California energy services company,  during October, 1997, in exchange
for cash and certain energy service assets of the company.

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      Summarized  combined  financial   information  for  the  company's  equity
investments is presented below.

                                December 31, 1997
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
         Balance Sheet:
          Current assets . . . . . . .     $  535,348
          Non-current assets . . . . .      1,771,900
          Current liabilities. . . . .        445,770
          Non-current liabilities. . .        737,975
          Equity . . . . . . . . . . .      1,123,503


                                           Year ended
                                December 31, 1997
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
         Income Statement:
          Revenues . . . . . . . . . .     $1,241,164
          Operating expenses . . . . .      1,147,866
          Net income . . . . . . . . .         57,248

      Balance sheet and income statement  information is presented as of and for
the most recent  twelve-month  period for which public information is available.
ONEOK's  balance sheet and income  statement  information is presented as of and
for the twelve  months ended  November 30, 1997.  Guardian and Onsite's  balance
sheet and income  statement  information  is  presented as of and for the twelve
months ended September 30, 1997. The company cannot give any assurance as to the
accuracy of the public information so obtained.

      During 1997,  the company's  equity  investment in ADT was converted to an
available-  for-sale security  investment in Tyco. The company recognized equity
in earnings  from the ADT  investment  of $24 million and $7 million in 1997 and
1996,  respectively.  At December 31, 1996,  the company's 27% investment in ADT
was approximately $597 million.


7.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

      As part of its ongoing  operations and construction  program,  the company
has  commitments  under purchase  orders and contracts  which have an unexpended
balance of approximately $87.8 million at December 31, 1997.

      International  Power  Project  Commitments:   The  company  has  ownership
interests in  international  power  generation  projects under  construction  in
Colombia and the Republic of Turkey and in existing power generation  facilities
in the  People's  Republic of China.  In 1998,  commitments  are not expected to
exceed $53 million.  Currently,  equity  commitments beyond 1998 approximate $88
million.

      Manufactured  Gas Sites:  The company has been  associated  with 15 former
manufactured  gas sites  located in Kansas  which may contain coal tar and other
potentially  harmful materials.  The company and the Kansas Department of Health
and  Environment  (KDHE) entered into a consent  agreement  governing all future
work at the 15 sites. The terms of the consent  agreement will allow the company
to investigate these sites and set remediation priorities based upon the results
of the  investigations  and risk  analysis.  At  December  31,  1997,  the costs
incurred  for  preliminary  site  investigation  and risk  assessment  have been
minimal.  In  accordance  with the terms of the  strategic  alliance with ONEOK,
ownership of twelve of these sites and the responsibility for clean-up of

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these sites were  transferred to ONEOK.  The ONEOK  agreement  limits our future
liability to an immaterial  amount.  Our share of ONEOK income could be impacted
by these costs.

      Clean Air Act:  The company must comply with the  provisions  of The Clean
Air Act  Amendments  of 1990  that  require a  two-phase  reduction  in  certain
emissions.  The  company  has  installed  continuous  monitoring  and  reporting
equipment  to meet the acid  rain  requirements.  The  company  does not  expect
material capital expenditures to be required to meet Phase II sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxide requirements.

      Decommissioning:  The  company  accrues  decommissioning  costs  over  the
expected  life of the Wolf Creek  generating  facility.  The accrual is based on
estimated  unrecovered  decommissioning  costs which consider inflation over the
remaining  estimated  life of the  generating  facility  and are net of expected
earnings on amounts  recovered from customers and deposited in an external trust
fund.

      In February  1997, the KCC approved the 1996  Decommissioning  Cost Study.
Based on the study, the company's share of Wolf Creek's  decommissioning  costs,
under the immediate  dismantlement method, is estimated to be approximately $624
million  during the period 2025 through 2033, or  approximately  $192 million in
1996 dollars.  These costs were  calculated  using an assumed  inflation rate of
3.6% over the remaining service life from 1996 of 29 years.

      Decommissioning costs are currently being charged to operating expenses in
accordance  with the prior KCC  orders.  Electric  rates  charged  to  customers
provide for recovery of these decommissioning costs over the life of Wolf Creek.
Amounts expensed approximated $3.7 million in 1997 and will increase annually to
$5.6 million in 2024.  These  expenses are deposited in an external  trust fund.
The average after tax expected return on trust assets is 5.7%.

      The company's investment in the decommissioning fund, including reinvested
earnings  approximated  $43.5 million and $33.0 million at December 31, 1997 and
December 31, 1996,  respectively.  Trust fund  earnings  accumulate  in the fund
balance and increase the recorded decommissioning liability.

      The SEC staff has questioned the way electric utilities recognize, measure
and classify  decommissioning  costs for nuclear electric generating stations in
their financial  statements.  In response to the SEC's questions,  the Financial
Accounting  Standards  Board is reviewing the accounting for closure and removal
costs, including  decommissioning of nuclear power plants. If current accounting
practices for nuclear  power plant  decommissioning  are changed,  the following
could occur:

           -  The company's annual decommissioning expense could be higher
                  than in 1997
           -  The estimated cost for decommissioning could be recorded as a
                  liability (rather than as accumulated depreciation)
           -  The increased costs could be recorded as additional investment in
                  the Wolf Creek plant

      The  company  does not  believe  that such  changes,  if  required,  would
adversely  affect its  operating  results due to its current  ability to recover
decommissioning costs through rates.

      Nuclear Insurance: The company carries premature decommissioning insurance
which has several restrictions. One of these is that it can only be used if Wolf
Creek incurs an accident  exceeding $500 million in expenses to safely stabilize
the reactor, to decontaminate the reactor and reactor station site in accordance
with a plan approved by the Nuclear  Regulatory  Commission (NRC) and to pay for
on-site property

                                                            57

<PAGE>



damages. This decommissioning  insurance will only be available if the insurance
funds are not needed to implement the NRC-approved  plan for  stabilization  and
decontamination.

      The  Price-Anderson Act limits the combined public liability of the owners
of nuclear power plants to $8.9 billion for a single nuclear  incident.  If this
liability  limitation is  insufficient,  the U.S.  Congress will consider taking
whatever action is necessary to compensate the public for valid claims. The Wolf
Creek owners (Owners) have purchased the maximum  available private insurance of
$200 million.  The remaining  balance is provided by an assessment plan mandated
by the NRC. Under this plan,  the Owners are jointly and severally  subject to a
retrospective assessment of up to $79.3 million ($37.3 million, company's share)
in the event there is a major  nuclear  incident  involving  any of the nation's
licensed reactors.  This assessment is subject to an inflation  adjustment based
on the Consumer Price Index and applicable  premium taxes. There is a limitation
of $10 million ($4.7 million,  company's share) in retrospective assessments per
incident, per year.

      The Owners  carry  decontamination  liability,  premature  decommissioning
liability and property  damage  insurance for Wolf Creek totaling  approximately
$2.8 billion ($1.3  billion,  company's  share).  This  insurance is provided by
Nuclear  Electric  Insurance  Limited  (NEIL).  In  the  event  of an  accident,
insurance  proceeds  must  first  be used  for  reactor  stabilization  and site
decontamination.  The company's share of any remaining  proceeds can be used for
property damage or premature  decommissioning costs.  Premature  decommissioning
coverage  applies  only if an accident  at Wolf Creek  exceeds  $500  million in
property  damage and  decommissioning  expenses  and only after trust funds have
been exhausted.

      The Owners  also carry  additional  insurance  with NEIL to cover costs of
replacement  power and other extra expenses  incurred during a prolonged  outage
resulting from  accidental  property damage at Wolf Creek. If losses incurred at
any of the nuclear  plants  insured  under the NEIL  policies  exceed  premiums,
reserves and other NEIL resources,  the company may be subject to  retrospective
assessments under the current policies of approximately $9 million per year.

      Although  the  company  maintains  various  insurance  policies to provide
coverage for potential  losses and liabilities  resulting from an accident or an
extended outage,  the company's  insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover
the costs that could result from a catastrophic  accident or extended  outage at
Wolf Creek. Any substantial  losses not covered by insurance,  to the extent not
recoverable through rates, would have a material adverse effect on the company's
financial condition and results of operations.

      Fuel  Commitments:  To supply a portion of the fuel  requirements  for its
generating  plants,  the company has entered into various  commitments to obtain
nuclear fuel and coal.  Some of these  contracts  contain  provisions  for price
escalation and minimum purchase commitments.  At December 31, 1997, Wolf Creek's
nuclear fuel commitments  (company's share) were  approximately $9.9 million for
uranium  concentrates  expiring at various times through 2001, $35.1 million for
enrichment  expiring  at  various  times  through  2003 and  $67.4  million  for
fabrication through 2025.

      At December 31, 1997,  the  company's  coal contract  commitments  in 1997
dollars  under the  remaining  terms of the contracts  were  approximately  $2.4
billion.  The largest coal contract  expires in 2020,  with the  remaining  coal
contracts expiring at various times through 2013.

                                                            58

<PAGE>



8.  RATE MATTERS AND REGULATION

      KCC Rate Proceedings:  In January 1997, the KCC approved an agreement that
reduced electric rates for both KPL and KGE.  Significant terms of the agreement
are as follows:

    - The  company  made  permanent  an  interim  $8.7  million  rate  reduction
      implemented by KGE in May 1996.  This reduction was effective  February 1,
      1997.
    - The company reduced KGE's annual rates by $36 million  effective  February
      1, 1997.
    - The company reduced KPL's annual rates by $10 million  effective  February
      1, 1997.
    - The company rebated $5 million to all of it electric  customers in January
      1998.
    - The company will reduce KGE's annual rates by an additional $10 million on
      June 1, 1998.
    - The company  will rebate an  additional  $5 million to all of its electric
      customers in January 1999.
    - The company will reduce KGE's annual rates by an additional $10 million on
      June 1, 1999.

      All rate decreases are cumulative.  Rebates are one-time events and do not
influence future rates.


9.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

      On January 8, 1997,  Innovative  Business  Systems,  Ltd. (IBS) filed suit
against the company and Westinghouse  Electric  Corporation (WEC),  Westinghouse
Security  Systems,  Inc.  (WSS) and  WestSec,  Inc.  (WestSec),  a  wholly-owned
subsidiary  of the company  established  to acquire the assets of WSS, in Dallas
County,  Texas district court (Cause No 97-00184) alleging,  among other things,
breach of contract by WEC and interference  with contract against the company in
connection with the sale by WEC of the assets of WSS to the company.  IBS claims
that WEC  improperly  transferred  software owned by IBS to the company and that
the company is not  entitled to its use. The company has demanded WEC defend and
indemnify  it.  WEC  and  the  company  have  denied  IBS'  allegations  and are
vigorously defending against them. Management does not believe that the ultimate
disposition  of this  matter  will  have a  material  adverse  effect  upon  the
company's overall financial condition or results of operations.

      The company and its  subsidiaries  are  involved in various  other  legal,
environmental  and  regulatory  proceedings.  Management  believes that adequate
provision has been made and accordingly believes that the ultimate  dispositions
of these  matters  will not have a material  adverse  effect upon the  company's
overall financial position or results of operations.


10.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

      Pension: The company maintains qualified  noncontributory  defined benefit
pension plans covering substantially all utility employees. Pension benefits are
based  on years of  service  and the  employee's  compensation  during  the five
highest  paid  consecutive  years out of ten before  retirement.  The  company's
policy is to fund  pension  costs  accrued,  subject to  limitations  set by the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code.

                                                            59

<PAGE>



      Salary Continuation: The company maintains a non-qualified Executive
Salary Continuation Program for the benefit of certain management employees,
including executive officers.

      The following tables provide  information on the components of pension and
salary  continuation  costs  funded  status and  actuarial  assumptions  for the
company:

Year Ended December 31,                1997          1996        1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           (Dollars in Thousands)
SFAS 87 Expense:
  Service cost. . . . . . . . . .    $ 11,337     $ 11,644     $ 11,059
  Interest cost on projected
    benefit obligation. . . . . .      35,836       34,003       32,416
  (Gain) loss on plan assets. . .    (113,287)     (65,799)    (102,731)
  Deferred investment gain (loss)      73,731       30,119       70,810
  Net amortization. . . . . . . .       1,084        2,140        1,132
  Other . . . . . . . . . . . . .         519         -            -
                                     --------     --------     -----
      Net expense . . . . . . . .    $  9,220     $ 12,107     $ 12,686
                                     ========     ========     ========

December 31,                           1997         1996         1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           (Dollars in Thousands)
Reconciliation of Funded Status:
  Actuarial present value of
    benefit obligations:
      Vested . . . . . . . . . . .   $365,809     $347,734     $331,027
      Non-vested . . . . . . . . .     21,024       23,220       21,775
                                     --------     --------     --------
        Total. . . . . . . . . . .   $386,833     $370,954     $352,802
                                     ========     ========     ========

Plan assets (principally debt
  and equity securities) at
  fair value . . . . . . . . . . .   $584,792     $495,993     $444,608
Projected benefit obligation . . .    462,964      483,862      456,707
                                     --------     --------     --------
Funded status. . . . . . . . . . .    121,828       12,131      (12,099)
Unrecognized transition asset. . .       (369)        (448)        (527)
Unrecognized prior service costs .     39,763       62,434       57,087
Unrecognized net (gain). . . . . .   (193,313)    (103,132)     (75,312)
                                     --------     --------     --------
  Accrued liability. . . . . . . .   $(32,091)    $(29,015)    $(30,851)
                                     ========     ========     ========

Year Ended December 31,                1997          1996         1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuarial Assumptions:
  Discount rate. . . . . . . . . .       7.5%          7.5%         7.5%
  Annual salary increase rate. . .  3.5-4.75%         4.75%        4.75%
  Long-term rate of return . . . .  9.0-9.25%      8.5-9.0%     8.5-9.0%

      Postretirement and Postemployment  Benefits:  The company accrues the cost
of postretirement benefits, primarily medical benefit costs, during the years an
employee provides service. The company accrues postemployment  benefits when the
liability has been incurred.

      Based on actuarial  projections  and adoption of the transition  method of
implementation  which allows a 20-year  amortization of the accumulated  benefit
obligation,  postretirement  benefits expense approximated $16.6 million,  $16.4
million and $15.0 million for 1997, 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  The company's
total  postretirement  benefit obligation  approximated $83.7 million and $123.0
million  at  December  31,  1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The  following  table
summarizes  the  status  of  the  company's  postretirement  benefit  plans  for
financial   statement   purposes  and  the  related  amounts   included  in  the
Consolidated Balance Sheets:

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<PAGE>



December 31,                                  1997         1996         1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                (Dollars in Thousands)
Reconciliation of Funded Status:
  Actuarial present value of postretirement
  benefit obligations:
    Retirees. . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $ 53,910     $ 76,588     $ 81,402
    Active employees fully eligible . .        6,814       10,060        7,645
    Active employees not fully eligible       22,949       36,345       34,144
                                            --------     --------     --------
      Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       83,673      122,993      123,191
Fair value of plan assets . . . . . . .          118           78           46
                                            --------     --------     --------
Funded status . . . . . . . . . . . . .      (83,555)    (122,915)    (123,145)
Unrecognized prior service cost . . . .       (4,592)      (8,157)      (8,900)
Unrecognized transition obligation. . .       60,146      104,920      111,443
Unrecognized net (gain) . . . . . . . .         (828)      (8,137)      (7,271)
                                            --------     --------     --------
Accrued postretirement benefit costs        $(28,829)    $(34,289)    $(27,873)
                                            ========     ========     ========

Year Ended December 31,                       1997         1996         1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuarial Assumptions:
  Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.5%         7.5%         7.5%
  Annual salary increase rate . . . . .      4.75%        4.75%        4.75%
  Expected rate of return . . . . . . .       9.0%         9.0%         9.0%

      For measurement purposes, an annual health care cost growth rate of 9% was
assumed for 1997,  decreasing  one percent per year to five  percent in 2001 and
thereafter.  The health  care cost trend  rate has a  significant  effect on the
projected benefit obligation. Increasing the trend rate by one percent each year
would increase the present value of the accumulated projected benefit obligation
by $3.5 million and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components by
$0.3 million.

      In  accordance  with an order  from  the KCC,  the  company  has  deferred
postretirement  and  postemployment  expenses in excess of actual costs paid. In
1997  the  company  received  authorization  from  the  KCC to  invest  in  AHTC
investments.  Income  from  the  AHTC  investments  will be used to  offset  the
deferred and incremental costs associated with postretirement and postemployment
benefits offered to the company's employees.  The income generated from the AHTC
investments replaces the income stream from COLI contracts purchased in 1992 and
1993 which was used for the same purpose.

      Savings:  The company maintains  savings plans in which  substantially all
employees  participate.  The  company  matches  employees'  contributions  up to
specified  maximum  limits.  The funds of the plans are deposited with a trustee
and  invested  at  each  employee's  option  in one or  more  investment  funds,
including a company stock fund. The company's  contributions  were $5.0 million,
$4.6 million and $5.1 million for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

      Protection  One also  maintains  a savings  plan.  Contributions,  made at
Protection  One's  election,  are allocated  among  participants  based upon the
respective  contributions  made by the  participants  through salary  reductions
during  the  year.  Protection  One's  matching  contributions  may be  made  in
Protection One common stock, in cash or in a combination of both stock and cash.
Protection One's matching contribution to the plan for 1997 was $34,000.

      Protection  One maintains a qualified  employee  stock  purchase plan that
allows  eligible  employees to acquire shares of Protection One common shares at
85% of fair  market  value of the common  stock.  A total of  650,000  shares of
common stock have been reserved for issuance in this program.

                                                            61

<PAGE>



      Stock  Based   Compensation   Plans:   The  company  has  two  stock-based
compensation  plans, a long-term incentive and share award plan (LTISA Plan) and
a long-term  incentive  program (LTI  Program).  The company  accounts for these
plans  under  Accounting  Principles  Board  Opinion  No.  25  and  the  related
Interpretations.  Had compensation cost been determined pursuant to Statement of
Financial   Accounting   Standards   No.  123,   "Accounting   for   Stock-Based
Compensation"   (SFAS  123),  the  company  would  have  recognized   additional
compensation  costs  during 1997,  1996 and 1995.  However,  recognition  of the
compensation  costs would not have been material to the Consolidated  Statements
of Income nor would these costs have affected basic earnings per share.

      The LTISA Plan was  implemented  to help  ensure that  managers  and board
members (Plan Participants) were properly incented to increase shareowner value.
It was established to replace the company's LTI Program,  discussed below. Under
the LTISA  Plan,  the  company  may grant  awards in the form of stock  options,
dividend equivalents,  share appreciation rights,  restricted shares, restricted
share  units,   performance   shares  and   performance   share  units  to  Plan
Participants.  Up to three  million  shares of common stock may be granted under
the LTISA Plan.

      The LTISA Plan granted  459,700 and 205,700  stock options and 459,700 and
205,700  dividend  equivalents  to  Plan  Participants  during  1997  and  1996,
respectively.  The exercise  price of the stock  options  granted was $30.75 and
$29.25  in 1997  and  1996,  respectively.  These  options  vest in nine  years.
Accelerated  vesting allows stock options to vest within three years,  dependent
upon certain company  performance  factors.  The options expire in approximately
ten years. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the dividend equivalent
was $6.21 and $5.82 in 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The value of each dividend
equivalent is calculated as a percentage of the accumulated dividends that would
have been paid or payable on a share of company  common stock.  This  percentage
ranges from zero to 100%, based upon certain company  performance  factors.  The
dividend  equivalents  expire after nine years from the date of grant. All stock
options and dividend equivalents granted were outstanding at December 31, 1997.

      The fair value of stock options and dividend equivalents were estimated on
the date of grant  using  the  Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model.  The  model
assumed a dividend yield of 6.58% and 6.33%,  expected  volatility of 13.56% and
14.12%;  and an  expected  life  of  9.0  and  8.7  years  for  1997  and  1996,
respectively.  Additionally, the stock option model assumed a risk-free interest
rate of 6.72% and 6.45% for 1997 and 1996, respectively. The dividend equivalent
model  assumed a risk-free  interest  rate of 6.36% and 6.61% for 1997 and 1996,
respectively,  an award percentage of 100% and a dividend accumulation period of
five years.

      The LTI Program is a performance-based stock plan which awards performance
shares to executive  officers  (Program  Participants)  of the company  equal in
value to 10% of the officer's annual base  compensation.  Each performance share
is equal in value to one  share of the  company's  common  stock.  Each  Program
Participant may be entitled to receive a common stock  distribution based on the
value of performance shares awarded multiplied by a distribution  percentage not
to  exceed  110%.  This  distribution  percentage  is  based  upon  the  Program
Participants' and the company's  performance.  Program Participants also receive
cash equivalent to dividends on common stock for performance shares awarded.

      In  1995,  the  company  granted  14,756   performance   shares,   with  a
weighted-average  fair value of $28.81. The fair value of each performance share
is based on  market  price at the date of  grant.  No  performance  shares  were
granted in 1997 or 1996. At December 31, 1997,  shares granted in 1995 no longer
have a remaining contractual life and will be paid in March 1998.

                                                            62

<PAGE>



11. PROTECTION ONE STOCK WARRANTS AND OPTIONS

      Protection  One has  outstanding  stock  warrants  and options  which were
considered reissued and exercisable upon the company's acquisition of Protection
One on November 24, 1997. In lieu of adjusting the number of outstanding options
and warrants,  holders of options or warrants received a $7 per share equivalent
cash  payment  in the  acquisition.  Stock  option  activity  subsequent  to the
acquisition was as follows:

                                    Warrants
                                             and Options      Price Range
    Balance at November 24, 1997. . . . . .   2,198,389      $0.05-$16.375
    Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        -              -
    Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (306)       $ 0.05
    Surrendered . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        -              -
    Balance at December 31, 1997. . . . . .   2,198,083      $0.05-$16.375


      Stock  options  and  warrants  outstanding  at  December  31,  1997 are as
follows:

                            Number          Weighted         Weighted
         Range of         Outstanding        Average         Average
         Exercise            and          Remaining Life     Exercise
          Price           Exercisable        (Years)          Price

      $ 5.875-$ 9.125       159,360             8            $ 6.602
      $ 8.000-$10.313       384,300             8            $ 8.088
      $12.125-$16.375       148,000             8            $14.857
          $ 9.50            253,000             9            $ 9.50
          $15.00             50,000             9            $15.00
          $14.268            50,000             4            $14.268
          $ 0.05              1,425             9            $ 0.05
          $ 3.633           103,697             4            $ 3.633
          $ 0.167           462,001             6            $ 0.167
          $ 6.60            466,400             8            $ 6.60

      The company  holds a call  option for an  additional  2,750,238  shares of
Protection  One,  exercisable at a price of $15.50.  The option expires no later
than October 31, 1999.

      Certain  options  outstanding  have  been  issued as  incentive  awards to
directors,  officers, and key employees in accordance with Protection One's 1994
Stock  Option  Plan.  Had the fair value  based  method  been used to  determine
compensation  expense for these stock options,  recognition of the  compensation
costs would not have been material.


12.  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

      The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value
of each class of financial  instruments  for which it is practicable to estimate
that value as set forth in Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 107
"Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments".
      Cash and cash equivalents,  short-term  borrowings and variable-rate  debt
are carried at cost which approximates fair value. The decommissioning  trust is
recorded at fair value and is based on the quoted  market prices at December 31,
1997 and 1996. The fair value of fixed-rate  debt,  redeemable  preference stock
and other mandatorily  redeemable securities is estimated based on quoted market
prices  for the same or  similar  issues or on the  current  rates  offered  for
instruments of the same remaining maturities and

                                                            63

<PAGE>



redemption  provisions.  The  estimated  fair  values of  contracts  related  to
commodities  have been  determined  using  quoted  market  prices of the same or
similar securities.

      The recorded  amount of accounts  receivable  and other current  financial
instruments approximate fair value.

      The fair  value  estimates  presented  herein  are  based  on  information
available at December  31, 1997 and 1996.  These fair value  estimates  have not
been  comprehensively  revalued  for the purpose of these  financial  statements
since that date and  current  estimates  of fair value may differ  significantly
from  the  amounts  presented  herein.  Because  a  substantial  portion  of the
company's  operations  are  regulated,  the company  believes  that any gains or
losses related to the  retirement of debt or redemption of preferred  securities
would not have a material effect on the company's  financial position or results
of operations.

      The carrying  values and estimated fair values of the company's  financial
instruments are as follows:

                                   Carrying Value              Fair Value
    December 31,                   1997       1996          1997       1996
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            (Dollars in Thousands)

    Decommissioning trust. .  $   43,514   $   33,041  $   43,514   $   33,041
    Fixed-rate debt. . . . .   2,019,103    1,224,743   2,101,167    1,260,722
    Redeemable preference
      stock. . . . . . . . .      50,000       50,000      51,750       52,500
    Other mandatorily
      redeemable securities.     220,000      220,000     226,088      214,800

      The company is  involved in both the  marketing  of  electricity  and risk
management  services  to  wholesale  electric  customers  and  the  purchase  of
electricity for the company's retail customers.  In addition to the purchase and
sale of electricity,  the company  engages in price risk management  activities,
including the use of forward  contracts,  futures,  swap  agreements and put and
call options.  The  availability  and use of these types of contracts  allow the
company to manage and hedge its  contractual  commitments,  reduce its  exposure
relative to the  volatility of cash market prices and take advantage of selected
arbitrage opportunities via open positions. Such open positions during 1997 were
not material to the company's financial position or results of operations.

      In general,  the company does not seek to take significant  commodity risk
for the  purpose of  generating  margins in the  ordinary  course of its trading
activities.  The company has  established a risk  management  policy designed to
limit the  company's  exposure to price risk,  and it  continually  monitors and
reviews  this  policy to  ensure  that it is  responsive  to  changing  business
conditions.  This  policy  requires  that,  in  general,  positions  taken  with
derivatives   be  offset  by  positions  in  physical   transactions   or  other
derivatives.  Due to the illiquid nature of the emerging electric  markets,  net
open positions in terms of price, volume and specified delivery point can occur.

                                                            64

<PAGE>



December 31,              1997                              1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (Dollars in Thousands)
             Notional                          Notional
             Volumes   Estimated     Gain/     Volumes   Estimated     Gain/
             (MWH's)   Fair Value   (loss)    (mmbtu's)  Fair Value   (loss)
Forward
 contracts    359,200   $9,086       $202          -          -         -
Options       924,000   $1,790      ($329)         -          -         -
Natural gas
 futures         -      $  -        $  -       6,540,000   $16,032    $2,061
Natural gas
 swaps           -      $  -        $  -       2,344,000   $ 5,500    $1,315

      In November  1997,  the  company  contributed  its  natural gas  marketing
business to ONEOK. As a result, the company did not have any natural gas futures
or natural gas swaps as of December 31, 1997.

13.  COMMON STOCK, PREFERRED STOCK, PREFERENCE STOCK,
     AND OTHER MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE SECURITIES

      The company's Restated Articles of Incorporation,  as amended, provide for
85,000,000  authorized shares of common stock. At December 31, 1997,  65,409,603
shares were outstanding.

      The company has a Direct Stock  Purchase Plan (DRIP).  Shares issued under
the DRIP may be either  original  issue  shares or shares  purchased on the open
market.  The company has issued original issue shares under DRIP from January 1,
1995 until  October 15, 1997.  On November 1, 1997,  DRIP began  issuing  shares
purchased on the open market. During 1997, a total of 837,549 shares were issued
under DRIP including  784,344  original issue shares and 53,205 shares purchased
on the open market. At December 31, 1997,  1,244,617 shares were available under
the DRIP registration statement.

      Preferred  Stock Not  Subject  to  Mandatory  Redemption:  The  cumulative
preferred stock is redeemable in whole or in part on 30 to 60 days notice at the
option of the company.

      Preference Stock Subject to Mandatory  Redemption:  The mandatory  sinking
fund  provisions  of the 7.58% Series  preference  stock  require the company to
redeem  25,000  shares  annually  beginning  on April 1,  2002 and each  April 1
through 2006 and the remaining  shares on April 1, 2007,  all at $100 per share.
The company may, at its option, redeem up to an additional 25,000 shares on each
April 1 at $100 per share.  The 7.58% Series also is  redeemable  in whole or in
part,  at  the  option  of the  company,  subject  to  certain  restrictions  on
refunding,  at a  redemption  price of  $103.79,  $103.03  and $102.27 per share
beginning April 1, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively.

      Other Mandatorily  Redeemable  Securities:  On December 14, 1995,  Western
Resources  Capital  I, a  wholly-owned  trust,  issued  four  million  preferred
securities of 7-7/8% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series A,
for $100 million.  The trust interests  represented by the preferred  securities
are  redeemable  at the  option  of  Western  Resources  Capital  I, on or after
December 11,  2000,  at $25 per  preferred  security  plus accrued  interest and
unpaid   dividends.   Holders  of  the   securities   are  entitled  to  receive
distributions at an annual rate of 7-7/8% of the liquidation preference value of
$25.  Distributions are payable quarterly and in substance are tax deductible by
the company.  These  distributions  are recorded as interest  expense.  The sole
asset  of the  trust is $103  million  principal  amount  of  7-7/8%  Deferrable
Interest  Subordinated   Debentures,   Series  A  due  December  11,  2025  (the
Subordinated Debentures).


                                                            65

<PAGE>



      On July 31, 1996,  Western Resources Capital II, a wholly-owned  trust, of
which the sole asset is subordinated debentures of the company, sold in a public
offering,  4.8 million shares of 8-1/2%  Cumulative  Quarterly  Income Preferred
Securities,  Series B, for $120 million. The trust interests  represented by the
preferred  securities are redeemable at the option of Western  Resources Capital
II, on or after July 31, 2001,  at $25 per preferred  security plus  accumulated
and unpaid  distributions.  Holders of the  securities  are  entitled to receive
distributions at an annual rate of 8-1/2% of the liquidation preference value of
$25.  Distributions are payable quarterly and in substance are tax deductible by
the company.  These  distributions  are recorded as interest  expense.  The sole
asset  of the  trust is $124  million  principal  amount  of  8-1/2%  Deferrable
Interest Subordinated Debentures, Series B due July 31, 2036.

      In  addition  to  the  company's   obligations   under  the   Subordinated
Debentures,  the  company  has agreed to  guarantee,  on a  subordinated  basis,
payment  of  distributions  on  the  preferred  securities.  These  undertakings
constitute  a full and  unconditional  guarantee  by the  company of the trust's
obligations under the preferred securities.


14.  LEASES

      At December 31, 1997, the company had leases covering various property and
equipment. The company currently has no significant capital leases.

      Rental payments for operating leases and estimated rental  commitments are
as follows:

                                    Operating
           Year Ended December 31,                Leases
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
           1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $ 63,353
           1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       63,181
           1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       71,126
           Future Commitments:
           1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       66,998
           1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       59,634
           2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       53,456
           2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       50,303
           2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       49,999
           Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . .      655,558
                                                --------
           Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $935,948
                                                ========

      In 1987,  KGE sold and leased  back its 50%  undivided  interest in the La
Cygne 2 generating  unit.  The La Cygne 2 lease has an initial term of 29 years,
with  various  options  to renew  the  lease  or  repurchase  the 50%  undivided
interest.  KGE remains  responsible  for its share of operation and  maintenance
costs and other related operating costs of La Cygne 2. The lease is an operating
lease for financial  reporting  purposes.  The company  recognized a gain on the
sale which was deferred and is being amortized over the initial lease term.

      In 1992, the company deferred costs associated with the refinancing of the
secured  facility  bonds of the Trustee and owner of La Cygne 2. These costs are
being  amortized  over the  life of the  lease  and are  included  in  operating
expense.   Approximately   $21.4  million  of  this  deferral  remained  on  the
Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 1997.

      Future  minimum  annual  lease  payments,  included  in the  table  above,
required under the La Cygne 2 lease  agreement are  approximately  $34.6 million
for each year through

                                                            66

<PAGE>



2002 and $576.6  million over the remainder of the lease.  KGE's lease  expense,
net  of  amortization  of  the  deferred  gain  and   refinancing   costs,   was
approximately $27.3 million for 1997 and $22.5 million for 1996 and 1995.


15.  LONG-TERM DEBT

      The  amount  of the  company's  first  mortgage  bonds  authorized  by its
Mortgage and Deed of Trust,  dated July 1, 1939, as supplemented,  is unlimited.
The amount of KGE's first mortgage bonds authorized by the KGE Mortgage and Deed
of Trust,  dated April 1, 1940, as  supplemented,  is limited to a maximum of $2
billion.  Amounts  of  additional  bonds  which may be  issued  are  subject  to
property, earnings and certain restrictive provisions of each mortgage.

                                                            67

<PAGE>



      Debt discount and expenses are being amortized over the remaining lives of
each issue.  During the years 1998 through 2002, $21 million of other  long-term
debt will  mature  in 1998,  $125  million  of bonds  and $42  million  of other
long-term debt will mature in 1999, $75 million of bonds will mature in 2000 and
$100  million of bonds will mature in 2002.  No other  bonds will mature  during
this time period.

      Long-term debt outstanding is as follows at December 31:

                                                   1997           1996
                                                ----------     -------
                                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
   Western Resources First mortgage bond series:
     7 1/4% due 1999. . . . . . . . . . . . .   $  125,000     $  125,000
     8 7/8% due 2000. . . . . . . . . . . . .       75,000         75,000
     7 1/4% due 2002. . . . . . . . . . . . .      100,000        100,000
     8 1/2% due 2022. . . . . . . . . . . . .      125,000        125,000
     7.65%  due 2023. . . . . . . . . . . . .      100,000        100,000
                                                ----------     ----------
                                                   525,000        525,000
   Pollution control bond series:
     Variable due 2032 (1). . . . . . . . . .       45,000         45,000
     Variable due 2032 (2). . . . . . . . . .       30,500         30,500
     6%     due 2033. . . . . . . . . . . . .       58,420         58,420
                                                ----------     ----------
                                                   133,920        133,920
   KGE
   First mortgage bond series:
     7.60 % due 2003. . . . . . . . . . . . .      135,000        135,000
     6 1/2% due 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . .       65,000         65,000
     6.20 % due 2006. . . . . . . . . . . . .      100,000        100,000
                                                ----------     ----------
                                                   300,000        300,000
   Pollution control bond series:
     5.10 % due 2023. . . . . . . . . . . . .       13,757         13,822
     Variable due 2027 (3). . . . . . . . . .       21,940         21,940
     7.0  % due 2031. . . . . . . . . . . . .      327,500        327,500
     Variable due 2032 (4). . . . . . . . . .       14,500         14,500
     Variable due 2032 (5). . . . . . . . . .       10,000         10,000
                                                ----------     ----------
                                                   387,697        387,762

 Revolving credit agreement . . . . . . . . .         -           275,000
 Western Resources 6 7/8% unsecured
   senior notes due 2004. . . . . . . . . . .      370,000           -
 Western Resources 7 1/8% unsecured
      senior notes due 2009 . . . . . . . . . .      150,000           -
 Protection One 6.4% senior subordinated
    discount notes due 2005. . . .  . . . . .      171,926           -
 Protection One 6.75% convertible senior
    subordinated discount notes due 2003. . .      102,500           -
 Other long-term agreements . . . . . . . . .       67,748         65,190
    Less:
     Unamortized debt discount. . . . . . . .        5,719          5,289
     Long-term debt due within one year . . .       21,217           -
                                                ----------     ----------
 Long-term debt (net). . .  . . . . . . . . .   $2,181,855     $1,681,583
                                                ==========     ==========

   Rates at December 31, 1997:  (1) 4.00%, (2) 4.05%, (3) 3.95%,
   (4) 3.85% and (5) 3.89%

                                                            68

<PAGE>



      Protection  One maintains a $100 million  revolving  credit  facility that
expires in January 2000. Under the terms of this agreement,  Protection One may,
at its option, borrow at different  market-based interest rates. At December 31,
1997, there were no borrowings under this facility.


16.  SHORT-TERM DEBT

      The company  has  arrangements  with  certain  banks to provide  unsecured
short-term  lines of credit on a committed  basis  totaling  approximately  $773
million.  The  agreements  provide  the  company  with the  ability to borrow at
different  market-based  interest rates. The company pays commitment or facility
fees in support of these lines of credit. Under the terms of the agreements, the
company is required, among other restrictions, to maintain a total debt to total
capitalization ratio of not greater than 65% at all times. The unused portion of
these lines of credit are used to provide support for commercial paper.

      In addition, the company has agreements with several banks to borrow on an
uncommitted,  as  available,  basis at  money-market  rates quoted by the banks.
There are no costs, other than interest, for these agreements.  The company also
uses commercial paper to fund its short-term borrowing requirements.

      Information  regarding the company's short-term  borrowings,  comprised of
borrowings under the credit  agreements,  bank loans and commercial paper, is as
follows:

December 31,                             1997         1996         1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            (Dollars in Thousands)
Borrowings outstanding at year end:
  Lines of credit                      $   -        $525,000    $    -
  Bank loans                            161,000      162,300     177,600
  Commercial paper notes                 75,500      293,440      25,850
                                       --------     --------    --------
    Total                              $236,500     $980,740    $203,450
                                       ========     ========    ========

Weighted average interest rate on
  debt outstanding at year end
  (including fees)                        6.28%        5.94%       6.02%

Weighted average short-term debt
  outstanding during the year          $787,507     $491,136    $301,871

Weighted daily average interest
  rates during the year
  (including fees)                        5.93%        5.72%       6.15%

Unused lines of credit supporting
  commercial paper notes               $772,850     $447,850    $121,075

                                                            69

<PAGE>



17.  INCOME TAXES

      Income tax expense is composed of the following components at December 31:

                                       1997        1996        1995
                                     --------    --------    ------
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
    Currently payable:
      Federal. . . . . . . . .       $336,150     $54,644     $50,674
      State. . . . . . . . . .         72,143      20,280      17,003
    Deferred:
      Federal. . . . . . . . .        (19,766)     14,808      22,911
      State. . . . . . . . . .         (3,217)       (615)        601
    Amortization of investment
     tax credits . . . . . . .         (6,665)     (6,758)     (6,809)
                                     --------     -------     -------
    Total income tax expense .       $378,645     $82,359     $84,380
                                     ========     =======     =======

      Under SFAS 109, temporary differences gave rise to deferred tax assets and
deferred tax liabilities as follows at December 31:

                                                   1997             1996
                                                ----------       -------
                                                   (Dollars in Thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
  Deferred gain on sale-leaseback. . . . .      $   97,634       $   99,466
  Security business deferred tax assets. .         103,054             -
  Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          94,008           30,195
                                                ----------       ----------
    Total deferred tax assets. . . . . . .      $  294,696       $  129,661
                                                ==========       ==========

Deferred tax liabilities:
  Accelerated depreciation and other . . .      $  625,176       $  654,102
  Acquisition premium. . . . . . . . . . .         299,162          307,242
  Deferred future income taxes . . . . . .         213,658          217,257
  Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         112,555           61,432
                                                ----------       ----------
    Total deferred tax liabilities . . . .      $1,250,551       $1,240,033
                                                ==========       ==========

Investment tax credits . . . . . . . . . .      $  109,710       $  125,528
                                                ==========       ==========

Accumulated deferred income taxes, net . .      $1,065,565       $1,235,900
                                                ==========       ==========

      In accordance with various rate orders,  the company has not yet collected
through rates certain  accelerated  tax deductions  which have been passed on to
customers.  As management  believes it is probable that the net future increases
in income  taxes  payable will be recovered  from  customers,  it has recorded a
deferred asset for these amounts.  These assets also are a temporary  difference
for which deferred income tax liabilities have been provided.

      The  effective  income tax rates set forth below are  computed by dividing
total  federal and state  income  taxes by the sum of such taxes and net income.
The difference  between the effective tax rates and the federal statutory income
tax rates are as follows:

                                                            70

<PAGE>



Year Ended December 31,                      1997         1996         1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Effective Income Tax Rate. . . . . . . . .   43.4%        32.8%        31.8%
Effect of:
 State income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . .   (5.0)        (5.1)        (4.3)
 Amortization of investment tax credits. .    0.8          2.7          2.5
 Corporate-owned life insurance policies .    0.9          3.7          3.2
 Accelerated depreciation flow through
   and amortization, net . . . . . . . . .   (0.4)         (.2)         (.2)
 Adjustment to tax provision . . . . . . .   (3.7)          -            -
 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   (1.0)         1.1          2.0

Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate. . . . .   35.0%        35.0%        35.0%


18.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

      The  following is a summary of property,  plant and  equipment at December
31:

                                                  1997            1996
                                               ----------      -------
                                                 (Dollars in Thousands)

      Electric plant in service. . . . . . .    $5,564,695      $5,448,489
      Natural gas plant in service . . . . .          -            834,330
                                                ----------      ----------
                                                 5,564,695       6,282,819
      Less - accumulated depreciation. . . .     1,895,084       2,058,596
                                                ----------      ----------
                                                 3,669,611       4,224,223
      Construction work in progress. . . . .        60,006          93,834
      Nuclear fuel (net) . . . . . . . . . .        40,696          38,461
                                                ----------      ----------
        Net utility plant. . . . . . . . . .     3,770,313       4,356,518
      Non-utility plant in service . . . . .        20,237          41,965
      Less - accumulated depreciation. . . .         4,022          14,466
                                                ----------      ----------
        Net property, plant and equipment. .    $3,786,528      $4,384,017
                                                ==========      ==========

      The  carrying  value  of  long-lived  assets,  including  intangibles  are
reviewed for impairment  whenever  events or changes in  circumstances  indicate
they may not be recoverable.


19.  JOINT OWNERSHIP OF UTILITY PLANTS

                            Company's Ownership at December 31, 1997
                        In-Service   Invest-    Accumulated   Net  Per-
                           Dates      ment      Depreciation  (MW) cent
                                    (Dollars in Thousands)
    La Cygne 1 (a)      Jun  1973  $  162,400     $109,481     343  50
    Jeffrey  1 (b)      Jul  1978     291,624      131,397     617  84
    Jeffrey  2 (b)      May  1980     290,468      121,854     617  84
    Jeffrey  3 (b)      May  1983     403,046      153,084     605  84
    Wolf Creek (c)      Sep  1985   1,380,660      399,551     547  47

    (a) Jointly owned with KCPL (b) Jointly owned with UtiliCorp United Inc.
    (c)  Jointly owned with KCPL and Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.

      Amounts and capacity  presented above represent the company's  share.  The
company's share of operating expenses of the plants in service above, as well as
such expenses

                                                            71

<PAGE>



for a 50% undivided  interest in La Cygne 2 (representing  334 MW capacity) sold
and leased back to the company in 1987,  are included in  operating  expenses on
the Consolidated Statements of Income. The company's share of other transactions
associated with the plants is included in the appropriate  classification in the
company's Consolidated Financial Statements.


20.  SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS

      The company is a diversified  energy and security alarm monitoring service
company  principally engaged in the generation,  transmission,  distribution and
sale of  electricity  in Kansas and a security  alarm  monitoring  provider  for
residential and  multi-family  units operating in 48 states in the U.S.  through
Protection One.

      Electric  consists of the company's  regulated  electric utility business.
Natural gas includes  the  company's  regulated  and  non-regulated  natural gas
business.  Security  alarm  monitoring  includes the  company's  security  alarm
monitoring  business  activities,   including  installation  activities.  Energy
related  includes the company's  international  power  development  projects and
other domestic energy related services.

Year Ended December 31,               1997          1996          1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           (Dollars in Thousands)
Sales:
  Electric. . . . . . . . . . .    $1,160,166    $1,197,441    $1,146,869
  Natural gas(1). . . . . . . .       739,059       797,021       436,692
  Security alarm monitoring . .       152,347         8,546           344
  Energy related. . . . . . . .       100,193        43,819       160,369
                                   ----------    ----------    ----------
                                    2,151,765     2,046,827     1,744,274
                                   ----------    ----------    ----------
Income from operations:
  Electric. . . . . . . . . . .       207,026       347,097       360,321
  Natural gas(1). . . . . . . .        27,840        43,111         8,457
  Security alarm monitoring . .       (48,442)       (3,553)         (787)
  Energy related. . . . . . . .       (43,499)        1,898         5,730
                                   ----------    ----------    ----------
                                   $  142,925    $  388,553    $  373,721
                                   ==========    ==========    ==========
Identifiable assets at
  December 31:
  Electric. . . . . . . . . . .    $4,640,322    $4,735,335    $4,740,817
  Natural gas(1). . . . . . . .          -          724,302       623,198
  Security alarm monitoring . .     1,504,738       488,849         5,615
  Energy related. . . . . . . .       831,900       699,295       121,047
                                   ----------    ----------    ----------
                                   $6,976,960    $6,647,781    $5,490,677
                                   ==========    ==========    ==========
Depreciation and amortization:
  Electric. . . . . . . . . . .    $  183,339    $  170,094    $  150,997
  Natural gas(1). . . . . . . .        29,941        28,011        25,075
  Security alarm monitoring . .        41,179           944            45
  Energy related. . . . . . . .         2,266         2,282         1,713
                                   ----------    ----------    ----------
                                   $  256,725    $  201,331    $  177,830
                                   ==========    ==========    ==========
Capital expenditures:
  Electric. . . . . . . . . . .    $  159,760    $  138,475    $  179,090
  Natural gas(1). . . . . . . .        47,151        57,128        62,901
  Security alarm monitoring . .        45,163          -             -
  Energy related. . . . . . . .        47,845          -             -
                                   ----------    ----------    -------
                                   $  299,919    $  195,603    $  241,991
                                   ==========    ==========    ==========

      (1) On November 30, 1997 the company contributed  substantially all of its
natural gas segment in exchange for an equity interest in ONEOK.


                                                            72

<PAGE>



21.  QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

      The amounts in the table are unaudited  but, in the opinion of management,
contain  all  adjustments  (consisting  only of  normal  recurring  adjustments)
necessary for a fair  presentation of the results of such periods.  The business
of the  company  is  seasonal  in nature  and,  in the  opinion  of  management,
comparisons  between  the  quarters of a year do not give a true  indication  of
overall trends and changes in operations.

                                    First     Second     Third     Fourth
                (Dollars in Thousands, except Per Share Amounts)
1997
Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $626,198   $454,006  $559,996  $511,565
Income from operations(1) . . .    103,297     57,498   110,391  (128,261)
Net income(1),(2) . . . . . . .     41,033     24,335   508,372   (79,646)
Earnings applicable to
  common stock. . . . . . . . .     39,803     23,106   507,142   (80,876)
Basic earnings per share. . . .   $   0.61   $   0.36  $   7.77  $  (1.23)
Dividends per share . . . . . .   $  0.525   $  0.525  $  0.525  $  0.525
Average common shares
  outstanding . . . . . . . . .     64,807     65,045    65,243    65,408
Common stock price:
  High. . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 31.50    $ 32.75   $ 35.00   $ 43.438
  Low . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 30.00    $ 29.75   $ 32.25   $ 33.625

1996
Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $555,623   $436,123  $490,175  $564,906
Income from operations. . . . .     95,475     73,196   129,504    90,378
Net income. . . . . . . . . . .     44,789     28,746    62,949    32,466
Earnings applicable to
  common stock. . . . . . . . .     41,434     25,392    56,049    31,236
Basic earnings per share. . . .   $   0.66   $   0.40  $   0.87  $   0.48
Dividends per share . . . . . .   $  0.515   $  0.515  $  0.515  $  0.515
Average common shares
  outstanding . . . . . . . . .     63,164     63,466    64,161    64,523
Common stock price:
  High. . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 34.875   $ 30.75   $ 30.75   $ 31.75
  Low . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 29.25    $ 28.00   $ 28.25   $ 28.625

(1) During the fourth  quarter of 1997, the company  expensed  deferred costs of
approximately  $48 million  associated with the original KCPL merger  agreement.
Protection One recorded a special charge to income of approximately $40 million.

(2) During the third  quarter of 1997,  the company  recorded a pre-tax  gain of
approximately $864 million upon selling its Tyco common stock.


                                                            73

<PAGE>



ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

      None.


                                                         PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

      The information relating to the company's Directors required by Item 10 is
set  forth in the  company's  definitive  proxy  statement  for its 1998  Annual
Meeting  of  Shareholders  to  be  filed  with  the  SEC.  Such  information  is
incorporated  herein by reference to the  material  appearing  under the caption
Election of Directors in the proxy statement to be filed by the company with the
SEC.  See  EXECUTIVE  OFFICERS  OF THE  COMPANY in the proxy  statement  for the
information relating to the company's Executive Officers as required by Item 10.


ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

      The  information  required  by  Item  11 is set  forth  in  the  company's
definitive  proxy  statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of  Shareholders  to be
filed with the SEC. Such information is incorporated  herein by reference to the
material  appearing  under  the  captions  Information  Concerning  the Board of
Directors,  Executive  Compensation,  Compensation  Plans,  and Human  Resources
Committee Report in the proxy statement to be filed by the company with the SEC.


ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

      The  information  required  by  Item  12 is set  forth  in  the  company's
definitive  proxy  statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of  Shareholders  to be
filed with the SEC. Such information is incorporated  herein by reference to the
material appearing under the caption  Beneficial  Ownership of Voting Securities
in the proxy statement to be filed by the company with the SEC.


ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

      None.


                                                            74

<PAGE>



                                                          PART IV


ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

      The following financial statements are included herein.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Public Accountants
Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 1997 and 1996
Consolidated Statements of Income, for the years ended December 31, 1997,
  1996 and 1995
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, for the years ended December 31, 1997,
  1996 and 1995
Consolidated Statements of Cumulative Preferred and Preference Stock,
  December 31, 1997 and 1996
Consolidated  Statements  of Common  Shareowners'  Equity,  for the years  ended
  December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

SCHEDULES

      Schedules omitted as not applicable or not required under the Rules of
regulation S-X:  I, II, III, IV, and V

REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
      Form 8-K filed November 24, 1997 - Press release  regarding the closing of
the  combination of the security  businesses of the company and Protection  One,
Inc.

      Form 8-K filed  January  5, 1998 - Press  release  regarding  merger  with
Kansas City Power and Light Company.

      Form 8-K filed March 23, 1998 - Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of
Merger between the company and KCPL, dated as of March 18, 1998.


                                                            75

<PAGE>



                                EXHIBIT INDEX

     All exhibits marked "I" are incorporated herein by reference.

                                Description

 3(a)  -Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger between          I
        the company and KCPL,  dated as of March 18,  1998.
        (filed as  Exhibit  99.2 to the March 23, 1998 Form 8-K)
 3(b)  -By-laws of the company.  (filed as Exhibit 3 to the                I
        March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
 3(c)  -Agreement  and Plan of Merger  between the company and KCPL,       I
        dated as of February 7, 1997.  (filed as Exhibit  99.2 to the
        February  10, 1997 Form 8-K)
 3(d)  -Agreement between the company and ONEOK dated as of                I
        December 12, 1996.  (filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the December 12,
        1997 Form 8-K)
 3(e)  -Form of Shareholder Agreement between New ONEOK and the            I
        company.  (filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the December 12, 1997
        Form 8-K)
 3(f)  -Restated Articles of Incorporation of the company, as amended      I
        May 7, 1996.  (filed as Exhibit 3(a) to June, 1996 Form 10-Q)
 3(g)  -Restated Articles of Incorporation of the company, as amended      I
        May 25, 1988.  (filed as Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement
        No. 33-23022)
 3(h)  -Certificate of Correction to Restated Articles of Incorporation.   I
        (filed as Exhibit 3(b) to the December 1991 Form 10-K)
 3(i)  -Amendment to the Restated Articles of  Incorporation,  as amended  I
        May 5, 1992. (filed as Exhibit 3(c) to the December 31, 1995
        Form 10-K)
 3(j)  -Amendments to the Restated  Articles of  Incorporation of the      I
        Company (filed as Exhibit 3 to the June 1994 Form 10-Q)
 3(k)  -Certificate of Designation of Preference Stock, 8.50% Series,      I
        without par value.  (filed as Exhibit 3(d) to the December
        1993 Form 10-K)
 3(l)  -Certificate of Designation of Preference Stock, 7.58% Series,      I
        without par value.  (filed as Exhibit 3(e) to the December
        1993 Form 10-K)
 4(a)  -Deferrable Interest Subordinated  Debentures dated November 29,    I
        1995, between the company and  Wilmington  Trust  Delaware,
        Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4(c) to Registration Statement
        No. 33-63505)
 4(b)  -Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated July 1, 1939 between the Company  I
        and Harris  Trust and  Savings  Bank,  Trustee.  (filed as
        Exhibit  4(a) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739)
 4(c)  -First through Fifteenth  Supplemental  Indentures dated July 1,    I
        1939, April 1, 1949, July 20, 1949, October 1, 1949, December 1,
        1949, October 4, 1951,  December 1, 1951, May 1, 1952,
        October 1, 1954,  September 1, 1961,  April 1, 1969,
        September 1, 1970,  February 1, 1975, May 1, 1976 and April 1,
        1977, respectively.  (filed as Exhibit 4(b) to Registration
        Statement No. 33-21739)
 4(d)  -Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture dated June 1, 1977.  (filed as    I
        Exhibit 2-D to Registration Statement No. 2-60207)
 4(e)  -Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture dated February 1, 1978.         I
        (filed as Exhibit 2-E to Registration Statement No. 2-61310)
 4(f)  -Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture dated January 1, 1979.  (filed   I
        as Exhibit (b) (1)-9 to Registration Statement No. 2-64231)
 4(g)  -Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture dated May 1, 1980.  (filed as    I

                                                            76

<PAGE>



        Exhibit 4(f) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739)
 4(h)  -Twentieth Supplemental Indenture dated November 1, 1981.  (filed   I
        as Exhibit 4(g) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739)
 4(i)  -Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture dated April 1, 1982.  (filed   I
        as Exhibit 4(h) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739)
 4(j)  -Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture dated February 1, 1983.       I
        (filed as Exhibit 4(i) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739)
 4(k)  -Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture dated July 2, 1986.            I
        (filed as Exhibit 4(j) to Registration Statement No. 33-12054)
 4(l)  -Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated March 1, 1987.          I
        (filed as Exhibit 4(k) to Registration Statement No. 33-21739)
 4(m)  -Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated October 15, 1988.        I
        (filed as Exhibit 4 to the September 1988 Form 10-Q)
 4(n)  -Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated February 15, 1990.       I
        (filed as Exhibit 4(m) to the December 1989 Form 10-K)
 4(o)  -Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated March 12, 1992.        I
        (filed as exhibit 4(n) to the December 1991 Form 10-K)
 4(p)  -Twenty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated July 1, 1992.           I
        (filed as exhibit 4(o) to the December 1992 Form 10-K)
 4(q)  -Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated August 20, 1992.         I
        (filed as exhibit 4(p) to the December 1992 Form 10-K)
 4(r)  -Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture dated February 1, 1993.           I
        (filed as exhibit 4(q) to the December 1992 Form 10-K)
 4(s)  -Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture dated April 15, 1993.          I
        (filed as exhibit 4(r) to Registration Statement No. 33-50069)
 4(t)  -Thirty-Second Supplemental Indenture dated April 15, 1994,
        (filed as Exhibit 4(s) to the December 31, 1994 Form 10-K)

      Instruments  defining  the rights of holders of other  long-term  debt not
      required to be filed as exhibits will be furnished to the Commission  upon
      request.

10(a)  -Long-term  Incentive  and Share Award Plan (filed as Exhibit       I
        10(a) to the June 1996 Form 10-Q)
10(b)  -Form of Employment  Agreement  with officers of the Company        I
        (filed as Exhibit 10(b) to the June 1996 Form 10-Q)
10(c)  -A Rail Transportation Agreement among Burlington Northern          I
        Railroad Company, the Union Pacific Railroad Company and the
        Company (filed as Exhibit 10 to the June 1994 Form 10-Q)
10(d)  -Agreement between the Company and AMAX Coal West Inc.              I
        effective March 31, 1993.  (filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the
        December 31, 1993 Form 10-K)
10(e)  -Agreement  between the Company and Williams Natural Gas Company    I
        dated October 1, 1993.  (filed as Exhibit  10(b) to the December
        31, 1993 Form 10-K)
10(f)  -Letter of Agreement  between The Kansas  Power and Light  Company  I
        and John E. Hayes,  Jr., dated November 20, 1989. (filed as
        Exhibit 10(w) to the December 31, 1989 Form 10-K)
10(g)  -Amended  Agreement  and Plan of Merger by and among The  Kansas    I 
        Power and Light Company, KCA Corporation, and Kansas Gas and 
        Electric Company, dated as of October 28,  1990,  as amended by
        Amendment  No. 1 thereto, dated  as of  January  18,  1991.
        (filed  as  Annex  A to  Registration Statement No. 33-38967)
10(h)  -Deferred Compensation Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(i) to the          I
        December 31, 1993 Form 10-K)
10(i)  -Long-term Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(j) to the            I
        December 31, 1993 Form 10-K)

                                                            77

<PAGE>



10(j)  -Short-term Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(k) to the           I
        December 31, 1993 Form 10-K)
10(k)  -Outside Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan (filed as Exhibit    I
        10(l) to the December 31, 1993 Form 10-K)
10(l)  -Executive  Salary  Continuation Plan of Western  Resources,  Inc., I
        as revised,  effective  September 22, 1995.  (filed as Exhibit
        10(j)to the December 31, 1995 Form 10-K)
10(m)  -Executive Salary Continuation Plan for John E. Hayes, Jr.,         I
        Dated March 15, 1995. (filed as Exhibit 10(k) to the
        December 31, 1995 Form 10-K)
10(n)  -Stock Purchase Agreement between the company and Laidlaw           I
        Transportation Inc., dated December 21, 1995.  (filed as
        Exhibit 10(l) to the December 31, 1995 Form 10-K)
10(o)  -Equity Agreement between the company and Laidlaw Transportation    I
        Inc., dated  December 21, 1995.  (filed as Exhibit  10(l)1 to
        the December 31, 1995 Form 10-K)
10(p)  -Letter Agreement between the company and David C. Wittig,          I
        dated April 27, 1995. (filed as Exhibit 10(m) to the
        December 31, 1995 Form 10-K)
12     -Computation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Fixed Charges.
        (filed electronically)
21     -Subsidiaries of the Registrant.  (filed electronically)
23     -Consent of Independent Public Accountants, Arthur Andersen LLP
        (filed electronically)
27     -Financial Data Schedule (filed electronically)






                                                            78

<PAGE>



                                      SIGNATURE

      Pursuant to the  requirements  of  Sections 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                              WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.


March 30, 1998
                      By       /s/ JOHN E. HAYES, JR.

                         John E. Hayes, Jr., Chairman of the Board
                                and Chief Executive Officer




                                                            79

<PAGE>


                                     SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

          Signature                       Title                      Date

                             Chairman of the Board,
 /s/ JOHN E. HAYES, JR.        and Chief Executive Officer        March 30, 1998
    (John E. Hayes, Jr.)       (Principal Executive Officer)

                             Executive Vice President and
 /s/ S. L. KITCHEN             Chief Financial Officer            March 30, 1998
- ---------------------------
    (S. L. Kitchen)            (Principal Financial and
                               Accounting Officer)

 /s/ FRANK J. BECKER
    (Frank J. Becker)

 /s/ GENE A. BUDIG
    (Gene A. Budig)

 /s/ C. Q. CHANDLER
    (C. Q. Chandler)

 /s/ THOMAS R. CLEVENGER
    (Thomas R. Clevenger)

 /s/ JOHN C. DICUS                   Directors                    March 30, 1998
- ---------------------------
    (John C. Dicus)

 /s/ DAVID H. HUGHES
    (David H. Hughes)

 /s/ RUSSELL W. MEYER, JR.
    (Russell W. Meyer, Jr.)

 /s/ JOHN H. ROBINSON
    (John H. Robinson)

 /s/ LOUIS W. SMITH
    (Louis W. Smith)

 /s/ DAVID C. WITTIG
    (David C. Wittig)
                                       80

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                   Exhibit 12

                               WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
              Computations of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
            Computations of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges
                  and Preferred and Preference Dividend Requirements
                                (Dollars in Thousands)




                                                                Year Ended December 31,
                                                  1997        1996        1995        1994         1993

<S>                                           <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C> 
Net Income . . . . . . . . . . .              $  494,094   $168,950    $181,676    $187,447     $177,370
Taxes on Income. . . . . . . . .                 378,645     86,102      83,392      99,951       78,755
                                              ----------   --------    --------    --------     --------

    Net Income Plus Taxes. . . .                 872,739    255,052     265,068     287,398      256,125
                                              ----------   --------    --------    --------     --------

Fixed Charges:
  Interest on Long-Term Debt . .                 119,389    105,741      95,962      98,483      123,551
  Interest on Other Indebtedness                  55,761     34,685      27,487      20,139       19,255
  Interest on Other Mandatorily
    Redeemable Securities. . . .                  18,075     12,125         372        -            -

  Interest on Corporate-owned
    Life Insurance Borrowings. .                  36,167     35,151      32,325      26,932       16,252
  Interest Applicable to
    Rentals. . . . . . . . . . .                  34,514     32,965      31,650      29,003       28,827
                                              ----------   --------    --------    --------     --------
      Total Fixed Charges. . . .                 263,906    220,667     187,796     174,557      187,885
                                              ----------   --------    --------    --------     --------

Preferred and Preference Dividend
Requirements:
  Preferred and Preference
    Dividends. . . . . . . . . .                   4,919     14,839      13,419      13,418       13,506
  Income Tax Required. . . . . .                   3,770      7,562       6,160       7,155        5,997
                                              ----------   --------    --------    --------     --------
      Total Preferred and
        Preference Dividend
        Requirements . . . . . .                   8,689     22,401      19,579      20,573       19,503
                                              ----------   --------    --------    --------     --------

Total Fixed Charges and Preferred
   and Preference Dividend
   Requirements. . . . . . . . .                 272,595    243,068     207,375     195,130      207,388
                                              ----------   --------    --------    --------     --------

Earnings (1) . . . . . . . . . .              $1,136,645   $475,719    $452,864    $461,955     $444,010
                                              ==========   --------    ========    ========     ========

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
 Charges . . . . . . . . . . . .                    4.31       2.16        2.41        2.65         2.36


Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed
  Charges and Preferred and Preference
  Dividend Requirements. . . . .                    4.17       1.96        2.18        2.37         2.14



(1)      Earnings  are  deemed to  consist of net income to which has been added
         income taxes  (including net deferred  investment tax credit) and fixed
         charges.  Fixed  charges  consist  of  all  interest  on  indebtedness,
         amortization  of debt  discount and expense,  and the portion of rental
         expense which represents an interest  factor.  Preferred and preference
         dividend  requirements  consist  of an  amount  equal  to  the  pre-tax
         earnings  which  would be  required to meet  dividend  requirements  on
         preferred and preference stock.

</TABLE>
<PAGE>




                                                  Exhibit 21


                     WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                  Subsidiaries of the Registrant


                                         State of                Date
       Subsidiary                      Incorporation         Incorporated

1) Kansas Gas and Electric Company        Kansas            October 9, 1990

2) Westar Capital, Inc.                   Kansas            October 8, 1990

3) Protection One, Inc.                   Delaware          June 21, 1991

<PAGE>



                                                     Exhibit 23


           CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our report included in this Form 10-K, into the company's previously filed
Registration Statements File Nos. 33-49467, 33-49553, 333-02023,  33-50069,
and 33-62375 of Western Resources, Inc. on Form S-3;  Nos. 333-26115 and
333-02711 of Western Resources, Inc. on Form S-4; Nos. 33-57435, 333-13229,
333-06887, 333-20393, and 333-20413 of Western Resources, Inc. on Form S-8;
and No. 33-50075 of Kansas Gas and Electric Company on Form S-3.





                               ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Kansas City, Missouri,
 January 29, 1998

<PAGE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE STATEMENT OF INCOME AND THE STATEMENT OF CASH
FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           76608
<SECURITIES>                                     75258
<RECEIVABLES>                                   348443
<ALLOWANCES>                                     23400
<INVENTORY>                                      86398
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 25483
<PP&E>                                         5685634
<DEPRECIATION>                                 1899106
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 6976960
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           774796
<BONDS>                                        2181855
                           270000
                                      24858
<COMMON>                                        327048
<OTHER-SE>                                     1687159
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   6976960
<SALES>                                        2151765
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               2151765
<CGS>                                           967124
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  2008840
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              193225
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 872739
<INCOME-TAX>                                    378645
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             494094
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    494094
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     7.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     7.51
        

</TABLE>


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